Saturday evening was another picture-perfect Halloween parade on Main St. in historic Galena, Illinois.

Photo Credit: Keith B.
Photo Credit: Keith B.
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The 43rd annual event is undoubtedly one of the longest-running and most popular Halloween parades in the Tri-States, if not the entire U.S., with thousands of young and old packing onto just a half-mile stretch of Main Street.

Photo Credit: Keith B.
Photo Credit: Keith B.
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By early morning people began laying claim to valuable sidewalk real estate by placing blankets and chairs for the finest viewing. It's a wise move, with an estimated 20,000 or more making the annual parade pilgrimage.

Photo Credit: Keith B.
Photo Credit: Keith B.
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The lively affair was abuzz with ghouls, goblins, and costumed folks enjoying the street-fair atmosphere and packed restaurants and bars throughout the day and into the evening.

Photo Credit: Keith B.
Photo Credit: Keith B.
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But while Halloween is meant to be frightening, the Galena parade remains a family-friendly event. It's a slice of Americana and remains the quaint yet quintessential community event drawing people and families from miles around.

Photo Credit: Keith B. via Canva
Photo Credit: Keith B. via Canva
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The conversations in the crowd indicate that people traveled from as nearby as Dubuque, Platteville, and from all over Jo Daviess County.

Photo Credit: Keith B. via Canva
Photo Credit: Keith B. via Canva
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Likewise, they also came from as far as Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Quad Cities, and Chicago.

Photo Credit: Keith B.
Photo Credit: Keith B.
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While Galena does a fantastic job with festivals throughout the year, none may be as famous as the community's signature spooktacular Halloween parade.

Photo Credit: Keith B.
Photo Credit: Keith B.
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With at least a half-dozen area marching bands and numerous floats, the parade is an endless stream of Halloween happiness with music, tossed candy, and good cheer.

Photo Credit: Keith B.
Photo Credit: Keith B.k
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The Main Street setting is a postcard-perfect venue for the thousands gathered to cheer on veterans, area businesses, marching bands, and giant yet scaled-down parade balloons.

Photo Credit: Keith B.
Photo Credit: Keith B.
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Of course, the blasting of hot air balloon flames by several entries serves as a welcome shot of warm air. Still, it also offers a spectacular glow to showcase the crowd and the historical Galena setting so many came to enjoy.

Watch: Parade Marching Band - 103WJOD on TikTok

 

See More Galena Parade Photos

Photo Credit: Keith B. via Canva
Photo Credit: Keith B. via Canva
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