Connoquenessing fire company holds annual Halloween parade, costume contest

October 28, 2024 Last Updated: October 30, 2024 10:40 AM Community

Cora Duffy, 4, enjoys the seesaw for the first time with grandparent Sandy Duffy during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

CONNOQUENESSING — Monsters, princesses, heroes and villains took over Connoquenessing Community Park on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27, for the borough’s annual Halloween Parade and Costume contest.

Paradegoers, big and small, came dressed in costumes of characters including Mario and Luigi, Yoshi, Charizard, Optimus Prime, Beetlejuice, Batman and the Joker. They lined up at the park’s softball field before making their way toward the pavilion, led by a truck from the volunteer fire department which helped organize the event.

“I dunno, I just like the Joker,” said 11-year-old Bryor Cox, who came dressed as the iconic Batman villain.

This marked the fifth year of the Halloween parade at the park after moving from its former location.

“We used to have it on Main Street of Connoquenessing,” said Matt McConnell, a captain with the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Department. “In 2020, we weren’t allowed to have it at the fire station, so we had it here at the park, and it went over so well that we’ve kept it here since.”

Lucy Smoot, 1, who was dressed as a lady bug, enters the costume judging portion of the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Eerie Acres Farm, an annual haunted house attraction on Eagle Mill Road in Connoquenessing Township, also contributed to the festivities by putting together what it calls a “Not-Too-Spooky Trail” for children along one of the trails in the park.

“It’s a trail with some scary stuff up there,” said Justin Krenitsky of Eerie Acres, who came dressed as a clown. “We’re going to be handing out candy and giving back to the little kids.”

The centerpiece of the event was the costume contest, which offered prizes to three winners each in age brackets of 3 and younger, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 to 12, and 13 and older.

Judges for the contest were Tyler Friel of Butler Radio; Jeff Kroner, music department chairman for the Butler Area School District; and Barb Tanski, who, according to McConnell, has been judging the costume contest for more than two decades.

One of the more-unique costumes at the parade was worn by 13-year-old Nathan Cox of Evans City, who came dressed as a plane — more specifically, a Cessna 172.

“I wanted to be one because my dad’s into flying, and it’s actually one of the planes he flies,” Cox said.

Attendees walk in the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Attendees get their Halloween costumes judged during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Attendees walk in the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Cora Duffy, 4, plays on the seesaw during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Taylor Wheeler and son Ryder Wheeler, 1, who was dressed as Elmo, walk in the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Lucy Smoot, 1, who was dressed as a lady bug walks in the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Lucy Smoot, 1, who was dressed as a ladybug goes through costume judging during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Mike Wilson holds his daughter Sophia Wilson, 8 months, who was dressed up as a kitten, during the costume judging portion of the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Taylor Wheeler holds her son Ryder Wheeler, 1, who was dressed as Elmo, during the costume judging portion of the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual Community Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Connoquenessing Park on Sunday, Oct. 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle