Late Wednesday afternoon, Tigger hopped from a hopscotch board to a beanbag game, passing princesses and superheroes along the way. Olive Oyl and an Oompa Loompa shared space at an arts and crafts table with Minions and Pikachus.Ghostbusters and "Monster Mash" to "The Time Warp" and other familiar songs of the season. The scene was additionally set by Halloween decorations, which covered everything in the pavilion, and even a few pieces of nearby playground equipment.

Nearby, Obi Wan Kenobi tried his hand at Candy Corn Bowling. Just up a hill, families climbed into a hay-covered trailer, taking a turn on one of two hayrides that were ongoing during a 90-minute event.

The scene was Dickinson Park, where Newtown Parks & Recreation was presenting its annual Children's Halloween Party on Wednesday, October 26.

RoseAnn Reggiano, the town's assistant director of recreation, watched over all of the afternoon's offerings. She had plenty of help, between the two Parks & Rec employees who drove the tractors for the hayrides and a team of young adults - members of the Leo Club and students from Newtown High School.

Parents and costumed children enjoyed their choices of games, arts and crafts, and plenty of snacks. Kim Brereton, Caroline DePinto, and Danielle DePinto stood by a table laden with snacks, from candy and chips to donuts and apple cider. While Parks & Rec had purchased some of the snacks, Ms Reggiano pointed out that many had been donated. Newtown Lions Club provided the apples, and Silverman's Farm of Easton had sent over multiple containers of cider donuts.

At long tables set up under the park's pavilion, party guests had a few different arts and crafts activities to choose from. At one location children were invited to decorate masks, using markers and stickers. At another table, which Joy Hoffman had filled with small pumpkins and more craft items, children and parents were invited to decorate pumpkins and make papier mache pumpkins.

Ms Hoffman had donated the supplies for the craft table. Dressed in a black dress and a tall black witch's hat, she flitted around the table regularly, checking on the progress of projects.

The director of The Joy of Art, Ms Hoffman was recognized by some of the guests as they arrived. A few children burst into large smiles when they found their art teacher sitting among those at the crafts station.

In the background of all this activity, music played. Party guests were treated to a rotating mix of everything from the theme to

Shortly before 6 o'clock, Ms Reggiano rounded everyone up and led them to a volleyball court to the west of the pavilion. After having all of the children line up along the ends of the court, she did a countdown, and then the children were off for a Halloween Scavenger Hunt. In a small area, dozens of small toys and pieces of candy had been dropped for the young guests to collect.

And whether they did well during the scavenger hunt or not, everyone was treated to a goodie bag on their way out.

Approximately 50 children attended this year's party, according to Ms Reggiano. The weather was cold but dry, offering a good opportunity for parents to find out how well their children's costumes were going to hold up - and provide warmth, if any - prior to Halloween.

Meanwhile, the guests at Wednesday's annual party appeared to enjoy themselves. Most were smiling as they left, and many were carrying Trick or Treat bags already filled with their first batch of Halloween candy.