SEBASTIAN — As the Wolack family crossed Indian River Drive to reach the stage, conversations nearby ceased. People stopped in mid motion and stared – the Wolacks were unrecognizable, they looked like they had stepped off the set of Star Wars.
C-3PO, Princess Leia, a Storm Trooper and an AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport), along with Yoda and an Ewok, slowly crossed the green field, ready to join in the annual Sebastian Halloween Celebration and Costume Parade.
Taking a moment to fix the AT-AT’s gun, the Storm Trooper said, “It’s still not even close to being finished.”
Chris Wolack, the Storm Trooper, said it took about a month to build. His wife, C-3PO (Ashley), explained that 20-year-old Shawn was using crutches for the front legs and they had built wooden stilts for the back. The family then pulled together a mass of cardboard with five large rolls of duct tape to give it a boxy and metallic look.
“We all sat down and started thinking,” Ashley said of what the family should dress as for this Halloween. “We just decided Star Wars was awesome and went with it.”
Four-year-old Skyler dressed as Princess Leia, complete with the twin cinnamon roll-inspired buns, and the family dog, 2- year-old Yumi, dressed for a short while as Yoda. An Ewok stuffed toy went along for the parade strapped in a stroller.
“We just love Halloween,” Ashley Wolack said. “We want to keep it festive.”
The family was one of 10 finalists of the those who parade in front of the stage and a panel of judges, winning a $25 gift certificate to Walmart.
Joining them in the top finishers was 7-year-old Kylee, who has been participating in the annual parade for the last six years.
Kylee dressed as a rainstorm – one that would elicit the “It’s raining cats and dogs!” phrase. She wore a rain slicker and boots and carried a bright orange umbrella with toy cats and dogs strung along the edge.
“We found it on Pinterest,” Kylee said about her inspiration for this costume.
It took her and her parents, Laura Goodger and Joey Benson, about a day to put it all together after finding enough small dogs and cats to incorporate.
“We had to go searching,” Kylee said.
Goodger said the family attends the event each year because of it reinforces the sense of community. For Benson, it’s about sharing some quality time with his daughter.
As for Kylee, her favorite part of Halloween isn’t the sweet treats but, instead, “Dressing up!”