Weather Once Again Plays Tricks With The Treat Of Halloween

By Kendra Bobowick

Tricked again. Stormy weather for the second year in a row blew away hopes for the traditional parade of ghosts, goblins, and sugar-hungry monsters that flood Main Street’s sidewalks. Complications from Hurricane Sandy left many residents without power and the town’s emergency services stretched after gusting winds and rain scoured the region Monday.

It was the second year running that the weather became the true Halloween fright. Last year, a freak winter storm dropped heavy snow that knocked out power and created a mess of fallen limbs and downed utility lines days before All Hallow’s Eve, Sandy has also left a bulk of residents without power, and without the prospects of collecting candy on Main Street.

Storm Sandy disrupted traditional Halloween festivities, but a combination of early observances and ad hoc events, including delayed festivities scheduled for Sunday from 5 to 8 pm on Main Street, ensured that local children had a chance to dress up and get into the spirit of Halloween.

The Parks and Recreation Department got things going last week, when witches, goblins, and monsters scrambled over bales of hay for a Halloween hayride Thursday, October 25. Costumed children filled Dickinson Park with a menagerie of super heroes, princesses, butterflies, and more during the Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Halloween party and hayride. Between bites of pizza guests could play games, make crafts, and wait for their turn to sit behind a tractor that wound its way around the park past buried skeletons and other decorations.

Assistant Director of Recreation RoseAnne Reggiano looked at the hundreds of young guests and parents. “They’re all having a good time, visiting all the games — and it’s great weather too.”

Tossing a beanbag toward a jack-o’-lantern cutout were little blue butterfly Hannah Store and her older sister Amanda with wings and a costume in orange.

Helping the girls were Girl Scouts Hayley Isdale and Caitlyn Child. Were they having fun running the game? “Yes. I love little kids,” Caitlyn said. Dressed as a bright pastel flower and holding her parents’ hands while walking through Dickinson was Mikaela Sisenstein. She soon made her way to a cozy spot on the hayride. Seated across from her and wearing a black, flowing gown and masquerade mask was The Good Queen Deirdre Smith.

Wearing a tall pointed black hat and hopping off the hayride was Skylar Lewis. “I just wanted to be a witch,” she said. Dressed in a similar, but purple costume was another witch, Ana Frable. Children at the party enjoyed the day.

(More Halloween coverage on page A-14)