A menagerie of mythical creatures and cartoon characters, marauding pirates, faeries, firefighters and superheroes filled the streets of downtown Vero Beach last Saturday morning at the City of Vero Beach Recreation Department’s 58th annual Halloween Parade and Costume Contest.
More than 400 costume-clad children and their sidekicks wended their way from the Vero Beach Woman’s Club to the Vero Beach Community Center, where mermaids, witches, cowpokes and ninjas strutted across the stage as contestants vying for top honors in the annual costume contest.
The judges had their work cut out for them, deciding between costumes ranging from Elsa to Maleficent, veterans to farmers and superheroes to lizards. Little ones – carried, pulled in decorated wagons or pushed in camouflaged strollers – were accompanied by entourages dressed in complementary attire. Popeye and Olive Oyl, a beekeeper and his little honey bee, and the Little Mermaid with her own personal “daddy” diver were among some of the more unique ensembles.
A few folks more young at heart than in actual age took the opportunity to show off their own creativity costumed as old favorites, including the Adams Family, a hunter in a deer stand and the Joker.
It’s hard to say who had more fun, the children dressed up as their current favorite heroes or the parade-goers watching from the shade of oak tree-lined 14th Avenue, who reminisced about favorite costumes they had worn as children.
Several generations were represented among the groups, with many having walked in the very same parade themselves, before later watching their children and now, much to their delight, their grandchildren. It truly was a family day of fun, topped off by goody bags and snacks for the youngsters after walking the parade route.
At the Community Center, while waiting for the judges to winnow down the finalists, everyone enjoyed performances by the Vero Classical Ballet and the Vero Beach Recreation Department’s Little Stars.
“I love that we can keep this tradition alive,” said City of Vero Beach Recreation Department Director Rob Slezak. “It’s just so much fun for kids and adults. Everyone has a great time and leaves with something.”
Don’t miss the Recreation Department’s Aerial Antics Youth Circus holiday presentation of “Santa Who?” – 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center.
