RUTLAND— The Rutland Rec Department announced the winners of the 57th annual Halloween parade in a Nov. 4 news release. Out of 73 floats this year, 44 were registered in a variety of categories:
Best in Parade
Best in Parade went to Fabian’s Earth Moving for its presentation of “The 2nd Week of Deer Camp.” The float featured hunters and deer partying together in a classic deer camp setup, complete with a bedroom with bunkbeds, a real live trophy wall, a living room with deer playing poker and hunters on the back porch rocking away. And, of course, an outhouse at the back of the float. Kids were on a smaller float dressed as bears in a bear cave.
Runner-up went to the Rotary Club of Rutland with its depiction of “Rudolf and the Island of Misfit Toys.”
Most Original
Most Original went to Casella Construction on behalf of Wheels for Warmth, using tires as a symbol of the event, and featured a Sesame Street theme including the Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch and a house complete with a chimney and smoke to highlight the cause. The float was made from 200 recycled tires and other recycled materials, and over 30 volunteers helped build it. Wheels for Warmth is a program that supports emergency fuel assistance for Vermont families in need.
Runner-up was the Kiwanis Club, featuring the annual fishing derby event complete with fish costumes, fabulous artwork and crafty fishermen.
Most Creative
Most Creative was Randolph Union High School Marching Band with their theme, “Steampunk Frankenstein,” and they played the song “Frankenstein” by the Edgar Winter Group.
Runner-up was Rutland Regional Medical Center, whose float was based on a rendition of the British rock band Coldplay’s 2015 release of “Adventure of a Lifetime.” They rocked the house with amazing color, music (vocals by Steve Edgerton) and lights and a funky dance floor beat by some very life-like gorillas.
Costumed Marching Band
Best Costumed Marching Band went to Fair Haven Union High School as the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” playing the song “Twist and Shout.”
Runner-up went to Rutland Town School, with a throwback to the early 80s playing “Whip It” by Devo.
Costumed Marching Unit
Best Costumed Marching Unit was the Rutland City Fire Department, dressed as the Minions with Brent Adams as the character Gru, dancing through the parade with the Rutland City police!
Runner-up was Proctor Jr/Sr. High School with their theme of “Shrek the Ogre”, featuring Shrek and Fiona at home in the swamp with their fairy tale friends , with Lord Farquaad and his soldiers, plus the townspeople of Duloc.
Tom Fagan Award
The Tom Fagan Award went to West Rutland School for its theme of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” with the song “This is Halloween.” The award is for those that represent the darker side of Halloween—ghouls, goblins and zombies—and is more of the “traditional” theme of Halloween.
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention in the parade went to Maple Street School for its “MOOSY-School Spirit” float along with its rock band called the Quarter-Afters.