Ghoulish Spirits Stir On A Chilly Summer Day

By Larissa Lytwyn

While October 31 is still a season away, about 300 students in the Parks and Recreation department’s summer camp arrived for the “Halloween-in-July” Dress Up Day fully costumed, undaunted by the unseasonably raw weather.

“It was really fun!” declared Robby Daigle, dressed as a skeleton. “It’s cold, but I don’t really mind it.”

Other students stood out against the slate-colored sky dressed as Spider-Man, Sponge Bob, hobos, princesses, and an assortment of ghouls and monsters.

Dave Corsi came dressed as the Venus Fly Trap. “This was the only costume we had around,” he said. “I like it.”

His brother, John Corsi, came in the guise of the classic board game, Operation.

Just as in the game, the patient’s nose lit up a bright cherry red when touched.

The town lifeguards provided candy; every child received a paper bag and was able to pick out his or her favorite kinds from buckets of the sweets.

“We do a lot of different themes every year,” said co-director Nina Palazzo. “We have crazy hat day, things like that. Soon we will have Disney Day [children will have the opportunity to dress up as Disney characters] at Dickinson Park.”

Jeannette Smith said she is enjoying her first year as a counselor of the Parks and Recreation program. “It’s quite the mix of ages,” she said, “from kindergarten through grade six!”

But while things can get a little crazy, it’s always, she said, a lot of fun. “Halloween-in-July” was no exception.