Crowds come out for return of Hamburg’s King Frost Parade
2021 winners announced
Known for its creative floats and costumes, crowds once again filled Hamburg, eager to see four divisions of parade entries at the Hamburg Jaycees 57th Annual King Frost Parade held Saturday, Oct. 30.
While morning rain threatened to postpone the parade, the weather cleared in time for bands, dance groups, scouts, business floats and costumed ghouls to parade past the spectators gathered shoulder to shoulder along South Third and South Fourth streets in downtown Hamburg.
“We hope the parade can provide the community a sense of normalcy and a return to community events and togetherness,” said parade co-chairs Derek Leibensperger and Colleen Witman in a statement. “This is the return of the King Frost Parade after having to cancel in 2020 due to the pandemic. The parade had run continuously for 56 years.”
While COVID-19 restrictions canceled last year’s parade, the pandemic could not stop King Frost from making an appearance. He surprised residents by riding around the parade route in Hamburg. Recorded music of the Hamburg Area High School Marching Band played on speakers as King Frost waved to people from the back of a pickup truck.
For the 2021 parade, King Frost, portrayed by George Mitten, owner of the Windsor Press, once again waved to the crowds, welcoming fall and the people to the Hamburg.
Mitten has served as King Frost since the 51st
King Frost Parade, taking over for M. Domer Leibensperger. He is a past Jaycee, having served as president of the Hamburg Jaycees, president of the Pennsylvania Jaycees, and a national vice president for the U.S. Jaycees.
“(The King Frost Parade) ran continuously until last year when it had to be canceled due to the pandemic. The parade has always acted as a homecoming and a welcoming of fall,” said co-chairs Leibensperger and Witman.
The first King Frost Parade first took place in 1910 and was organized by Jack Walker. From 1921-1924 and in 1940 the Keystone Social Club sponsored the parade. The Hamburg Jaycees began sponsoring the King Frost Parade in 1964.
The Hamburg Jaycees announced the 2021 winners on their Facebook page Sunday.
“First, a huge thank you to all of our sponsors, without your donations, this parade would not be possible,