by Geoff Fox
The Hancock Lions Club honored local veterans on their float and played patriotic music as they went down the parade route.
The Creek family had a paddy wagon with Hancock Police on the side and dirt bike rolling through town during the parade. The Creeks took home the Novelty Unit award.
The Hancock Presbyterian Church was promoting a “Peaceable Kingdom” on their float with members dressed as different animals.
The 71st annual Hancock Rotary Halloween Parade had people lined up along Main Street from Widmeyer Park all the way to Park N Dine last Wednesday evening, October 31.
With temperatures in the 60s, just over 60 entries lined up to give the folks along Main Street a spectacular treat.
Kids, and some adults, wore Halloween costumes as they sat or stood along the street watching the parade.
The parade had everything from Hollywood movies (MacDowell Family with “The Incredibles” and the Lowe family with “Jurassic World”) to classic vehicles to multiple scouting and sporting groups to various organizations and churches to businesses and politicians walking along.
School bands from Hancock, Berkeley Springs, Southern Fulton, Clear Spring, and E. Russel Hicks performed for the people along the parade route.
Organizers handed out prizes in 14 different categories to parade entries.
Shooting Stars placed first in the Majorette/Cheer Group category. Raiders Cheer Squad and Hancock Flag Football Cheer were second and third, respectfully.
In the Classic Autos category, Ronnie Cline’s 1960 Chevy Impala took home first place. Cecil Potter’s 1957 Ford Skyliner was second, Richard Layton’s 1957 Chevy Belair was third, and Marty Couser’s 1963 Nash Rambler was fourth.
Jeanne Ward was the lone Spirit Award winner with her 1989 Cadillac Eldorado.
Tammi Stotler and her 1954 Ford Pickup was first place winner in the Pickup Truck category. Wayne Johnson’s 1985 Ford F150 took second in the category.
John Belcher and his 1965 Mack was first place winner in the Big Rig category. Plunkard –n-Sons Freightliner was second.
James Exline took home the Sweepstakes award for his 2007 Mustang.
In the Sporting Groups Float category, Hancock Flag Football took home top honors in the category. Hancock Little League All Stars and Buck Valley Little League followed in second and third.
The Creek Family Paddy Wagon, a tractor outfitted to look like a police vehicle and a mini bike, took home the Novelty Unit Award for the parade.
The MacDowell Family’s “The Incredibles” took home the Family Float award. The Lowe Family’s “Jurassic World” took home the Family Marchers award. Cub Scout Pack 53 was the recipient of the Group Marchers award.
In a crowded Community Floats category, Hancock Presbyterian Church took home top honors. Good Shepherd Preschool, Southern Fulton FFA, St. Peter Catholic Church, and Lions Club rounded out the category.
The Scouting Groups category was equally crowded with Girl Scout Troop 40602 taking first place. Girl Scout Troop 15055, Girl Scout Troop 15046, Cub Scout Pack 45, and Girl Scout Troop 80338 rounded out the category.
The Parade Grand Prize went to Girl Scout Troop 15008.
