The Trendz of Saucon Valley float–which honored salons of the 1960s–was the first place Judges’ Choice winner in the 2017 Saucon Valley Spirit Parade.
The 2017 Saucon Valley Spirit Parade was a big hit, drawing thousands of people to the parade route in Hellertown to watch floats, bands, firetrucks and grab some candy on a beautiful October Sunday.
The grand marshal of the parade was Hellertown mayor Richard Fluck, who is retiring at the end of his fifth mayoral term in December, after more than 40 years of elected service to the borough.
The surprise guests at the end of the parade were Lehigh Valley IronPigs mascots FeFe and Ferrous, who rode in a truck with parade volunteers.
The following is a list of all of the winners, as determined by a panel of judges:
Best Appearing Float
- Mountainview Moravian Church ($100) – Clothing Ministry Float
- Hellertown Historical Society ($75)
- Saucon Valley Youth Sports ($50)
Best Appearing Individual
- Rich Hanner ($100) – Salute to Servicemen and Servicewomen
- Gary and Kathy Meyers ($75)
- Pitstop the Clown ($50)
Best Appearing Group
- Cub Scout Pack 319 ($100) – Ship that Hellertown founders came to America on
- A Furry Tail Come True ($75)
- Olde Time Farming ($50)
Judge’s Choice Winners (Parade Theme: Honoring Hellertown’s Past)
- Trendz of Saucon Valley ($200)
- New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church ($100)
Photos by Chris Christian (except where otherwise noted)
Christ Lutheran Hellertown Pastor Phil Spohn took a ride on the wild side in the parade.
Parade chairman David Heintzelman was here, there and everywhere making sure that people were where they needed to be before and during the huge parade.
A Hellertown living treasure, LeRohn Deysher, who in his 90s continues to play “Taps” at countless local veterans’ funerals with military honors, rode in style in an antique convertible.
Hellertown Mayor Richard Fluck was the Grand Marshal of the parade. Fluck will retire from office in December after more than 45 years of public service and five terms as mayor of the borough.
Chairman Heintzelman with two of the parade committee volunteers who collected donations along the route, helping to ensure that the event will continue to entertain and delight residents for years to come.
Lower Saucon Township Police Dept. Bicycle Officer Kyle Bartholomew had a smile on his face as he rode in the parade.
Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp III led the parade, which began with a long convoy of police, fire and emergency vehicles.
Hellertown’s Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397 honor guard. At left is Legion Commander Eric Medei.
Gail Baer of the Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397 Ladies Auxiliary, represented the parade theme of Honoring Hellertown’s Past by wearing a period uniform.
The Edward H. Ackerman Post 397 Legion Riders contributed horsepower and patriotism to the parade.
The parade featured many walkers on four-legs.
Hellertown Borough Council member rode in the back of a pickup truck along with other borough council and Lower Saucon Township council members.
State Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-18) and her staff handed out copious amounts of candy along the parade route.
State Rep. Bob Freeman (D-136) rode on top of the backseat of a convertible in the parade.
The Liberty High School Grenadier Band of Bethlehem wowed many parade spectators with their polished appearance and sound, as well as their sheer size.
Members of the 2017 Saucon Valley High School Homecoming Court rode in several convertibles provided by Chevy 21.
Members of the 2017 Saucon Valley High School Homecoming Court rode in several convertibles provided by Chevy 21.
“Wave to the parade!”
Little ones didn’t have to wait long for candy at the parade–although that didn’t prevent youthful impatience.
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Photo by Josh Popichak
Fun times in front of Braveheart Highland Pub on Main Street.
Thousands of pieces of the ever-popular Tootsie Roll candy were no doubt thrown during the parade.
Parade announcers Bud Prosser and Cheyenne Reiman
The Tri for Hailey float
Steel City Volunteer Fire Company
Saucon Valley Dance Conservatory alumni proudly marched in the parade.
Steve Hanner with his salute to U.S. Armed Services members.
The William Allen High School Canary Marching Band
The Saucon Valley Youth Football & Cheerleading Association float.
Saucon Valley Marching Band Drum Major Sam Striz
An antique Hellertown firetruck owned by local collector and Dewey Fire Co. historian Ron Smith is a perennial parade favorite.
A Furry Tail Come True–a Hellertown doggie daycare business–marched in the parade to help homeless dogs find fur-ever homes.
Kathy Pichel-McGovern drove a 1938 Farmall F20 tractor in the Pichel’s Farms Olde Time Farming group, which won an award for their impressive showcase of antique farm equipment in the parade.
An antique 1948 pickup truck from Kiefer Nursery in Lower Saucon Township was part of the Olde Time Farming group.
Saylor’s & Co. owner Tim Mease and his staff dressed as murderous butchers; a costume theme in keeping with their business, which sells premium meats and groceries.
Pitstop the Clown was an award winner in the Individual category.
Jim Gardner State Farm Agent of Hellertown was a parade division sponsor.
Members of the Lehigh Valley Jeep Club
New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church’s apple-themed float was the runner up Judges’ Choice winner in the parade.
Bucks Run Oil sponsored Division 6 in the parade.
The Bucks Run Oil fuel oil trucks appeared in the parade.
The Yardumian family of Hellertown entered their vintage Bryn Athyn firetruck in the parade.
FeFe, one of the mascots for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, was a surprise celebrity guest in the parade.
Hellertown doggie daycare A Furry Tail Come True had a “Jurassic Bark” theme for their float. Owner Jessica Schwickrath said it related to local history because dinosaurs once roamed the area that today is Saucon Valley.
Hellertown American Legion Post 397 Commander Eric Medei
The beloved and fun-loving Saucon Valley Panther worked the huge crowds all along the parade route.
Joe DiRusso escorted Cub Scout Pack 319 in the parade.
The wait for candy!
