The grounds of Northwestern Lehigh High School were a collage of red and yellow with occasional splashes of white.

Fire companies were waiting in the staging area for the parade to Germansville's Goodwill Fire Company for the 100th anniversary bash.

On hand were trucks from Germansville, Weisenberg, New Tripoli, Lynnport, West Penn, Schnecksville, North Whitehall, Northern Bucks, Ashton, Oley, Catasauqua, Slatington, Laurys Station, Alburtis, Fogelsville, Walnutport, Tri-Clover, Palmerton, Upper Macungie, Trexlertown, Neffs, Slatedale, Emerald, Woodlawn, Emmaus, and Macungie.

A 1934 International P35 truck was sold to Keith Ernst from Orwigsburg and was back to participate in the parade.

Santa Claus, the Scouts, and Venture Farm horses and ponies were all lining up. The adults wondered why Santa was there but the kids just cheered when Santa, otherwise known as Earl Muth appeared.

Tony Gnas was with a Slatington medical truck used on the Delaware and Lehigh Trail or on the mountain, anything off road, Gnas said. There is a full-size stretcher and other emergency medical equipment.

And, what is a parade without cars.

A 1972 Monte Carlo, 1967 Plymouth and 1960 dune buggy, among others, are lined up waiting for the parade to begin. The motorcycles of the Patriot Guard were there.

It was a day to be followed by a night of tummy aches as children caught candy tossed from the vehicles.

The viewers who came from the longest distance were Ashleigh Simpson and Amy Lane from London and Maxwell Lewis from New Zealand. They were waiting for the parade with Tim Bennicoff, whose sister, Rachel is working with the three at a camp called Happiness is Camping.

Finally the announcer made the long-awaited announcement. "I don't have to tell you what's coming." The horns and sirens made the announcement before the human announcer.

As the parade drew near, an airplane flew overhead. Pitstop the Clown walked the route greeting children young and old.

Blinking lights announced the approach of Germansville's Goodwill fire truck. Behind it was a squad truck pulling a Spill Containment trailer. The chemical wagon that was Germansville's first fire engine, pulled by hand, was getting a ride in the parade.

Heidelberg Church and Central Grange 1650 participated with floats as did the Lynn Heidleberg Historical Society. Haaks Schoolhouse Restaurant, Batman and friends, and Ebenezer Church's Cub Pack 588 accompanied by other Scouts were there.

Brothers Sgt. Michael and DC2 Matthew Koenig were watching from the sidelines.

Everyone knew they were going to be home for the anniversary except Grandma Doris Koenig, who thoroughly enjoyed the surprise.

Allentown and Kempton's fair queens were riding.

From Allentown was Rachel Bennicoff and from Kempton was Amanda Rice.

A dance group walked. Some of the Scouts walked and some were on a float.

The Neffs truck bore the logo Pride of Park Avenue. "Faithfully serving the community" was Citizens Fire Company's logo. Weisenberg displayed the logo "Our family protecting your family." Alburtis' logo was "Trained to Save." All the trucks with logos were to show the fire companies'' involvement with their communities.

The judges were Bob Schelly and Mike Wentz.

Winners were Ashton for best appearing antique; Diamond Fire Company, Walnutport, was the next winner; Wildlands for best appearing brush truck; Trexlertown for best appearing aerial device; Woodlawn Fire Company, South Whitehall, best appearing tanker-pumper; and Neffs Station 16 for best appearing tanker.

Coplay, Upper Ma-cungie and Diamond of Walnutport were the winners for groups of years from 1991 to the present.

The best float was Cub Scout Pack 588 from Ebenezer Church. The best group was Northwest Children's Center and the Judges Award went to Matthew and Michael Koenig.