The Halloween parades in middle Armstrong County had distinctive floats such as this one based on a Circus theme (above) and a girls softball team reenacting the movie “A League of Their Own.” (below)
A very impressive float made its way down the streets of both Kittanning and Ford City during Halloween parades over the weekend.
“The Greatest Showman on Earth” had a circus theme that included the bearded lady, a dog dressed as a lion, girl on the flying trapeze, and many other attractions normally seen under the big top.
It was the collaborative effort of the Bemish families, along with their friends that included: April Bemish, Jess Bemish, Logan Bemish, Tanner Bemish, Ashley Bemish, Jared Bemish, Riley Bemish, Bailey as the Lion, Josey, Amanda Haynes,Greg Haynes, Emma Haynes, Rikki Woodling, Mike Woodling, Zach Woodling, Ivy Woodling, Collette Musati, and Chris Musati.
The float included bright lighting, colored effects, smoke, and circus sound effects.
Another group that won awards in both parades included the members of the Armstrong Elite 10U softball team. They are an all girls team with players age 8 and 9 years old from the Kittanning and Ford City area. The girls created a scene from A League of Their Own movie that depicted one of the first professional baseball teams from early 1900s.
“We were at a practice and the girls all had a sleepover and watched the movie and loved it and put the idea to do it for the parade,” Coach Mike Shumaker said. Even more realistic was Coach Jeremy Densmore that played the coach from the movie that often would yell at the actors.
Coach Shumaker said this is the second year the team has been in existence.
“We practice once a week year-round and the girls become best of friends,” Shumaker said. “We practice locally, actually down at Fort Run or during the winter we go over and get Elderton gym. We’re one of the volunteers that helped fix up Fort Run playground. That way, we had a place to practice during the summer. All these girls have been doing a lot to help out in the community and it’s been nice.”
The Armstrong Elite 10U girls softball team made this float inspired by the movie, “A League of Their Own.”