(KNZA)--A surprise launch of fireworks marked the start of Hiawatha's 100th annual Hiawatha Halloween Frolic Grand Parade Friday night, with throngs of visitors lined up along the city's downtown Oregon Street, which served as the parade route.
The sight and sounds of the fireworks came hours after the city began celebrating the holiday, including the traditional afternoon downtown Kiddie Parade.
The early evening saw the continuation of another long standing tradition: the crowning of the Halloween Queen, with 12 local area girls competing for the honor.
Ceremonies were held, and named the 2014 Hiawatha Halloween Queen was Miss Rulo, Shiloah Feighner, who receives a $1,000 scholarship to the college of her choice."Feels pretty good, I'm pretty excited," Feighner told MSC News after she was crowned. "I plan to go to Washburn University and major in human services. I'm going to be a clinical addiction counselor and work in rehab centers with addicts."
1st Runner Up was Miss Sabetha, Sarah Plum, who earns a $750 scholarship.
The title of Miss Congeniality went to Miss Everest, Kelly Lehew, who earns a $250 dollar scholarship.
Once the crowning ceremony ended, it was off to the parade route, where the Queen joined the numerous other entrants.
Among the many were “ Those Funny Little People,” as featured on America’s Got Talent and Willie Arthur Smith’s Marching Cobra’s of Kansas City.
A number of the floats were designed as tributes to Mrs. John Krebs, who began the Hiawatha community's Halloween tradition a century ago.
© Many Signals Communications
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