Scott City Halloween parade raises funds for children's Christmas

About 15 floats and firetrucks participated in Saturday's Halloween parade in Scott City.

The parade began at Assembly of God Church, proceeded down Main Street and the overpass leading to Second Street East in Illmo.

Scott City Parks Department director Phyllis Crump believes Scott City is the only town around that has a Halloween parade. "I've been here 18 years that it's been going on. I think it's in its 25th year," Crump said.

Three age groups participated in the costume contest, and a pet contest was added this year by the Scott City Women's Club.

The pet contest was meant to raise funds for local children who may otherwise not receive Christmas gifts. The funds were generated by vendors selling baked goods, dog treats and other items. No entry fee was charged. The contest was held at Teresa's Tender Hearts Pet Grooming on Second Street East. All pets were welcome to dress up and compete.

Annette and Ron Cummins' 4-year-old shih tzu, Abbie Jo, did not want a bath or to wear her ladybug costume, but Brittney Cummins was determined for her parents' dog to compete along with Gracie, the 2-year-old shih tzu Brittney and Steve Sanford own. "The bath was ridiculous," Cummins said. Abbie Jo pawed the hat off so part of her costume was scratched.

Gracie, who didn't seem to mind dressing up, was in a pumpkin costume.

The mascot at Teresa's Tender Hearts Pet Grooming, Bubba the Saint Bernard, did not enter the contest but kept children entertained inside while pet owners waited for the judging to begin.

Costumes worn by members of the Scott City High School band included a grim reaper tuba player and a spa customer costume worn by Taylor Rice.

Rice, a sophomore, said, "It's a big goof-off parade." She's been in it since sixth grade and said she would go even if she wasn't participating. Along with a fuzzy pink robe, Rice's green face completed the costume she put together Friday night.

Marsha Johnston, dressed as a purple octopus, combined five sweatshirts purchased at a thrift shop and glued shiny fabric onto the octopus arms she created. "Halloween's the best," she said. "My favorite time of year." Her tradition is not parades but haunted-house hopping with her friends. She chose the sea creature theme because her 7-year-old son, Andrew, wanted to be a shark. Capone, a 3-year-old English bulldog, did not fit in with the them but wore his bright red Elmo costume.

Crump said the turnout was a little down this year. "We've had as many as 120 and as little as 25 when it rains," she said. This year 65 entered the costume contest.

Best costume winners in the 2-to-4-year-old girl category were Michah Joyce as an angel; boy category, Brayden Mashek as a pumpkin; scariest costume category was Jonathan Brock as a dragon; best overall was Alyssa Dirden as Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz."

Best costume winners in the 5-to-7-year-old girl category were Britne Parker as a geisha; boy category, Ty Collier as a ninja; scariest costume category was Olivia Collier as a red vampire; best overall was Sam Niswonger as the guitarist Slash.

Best costume winners in the 8-to-10-year-old girl category were Caitlyn Hayes as a pirate girl. There were no entries in the boy category. Scariest costume category tie winners were Abigail Estes as a skeleton and Kaileigh Dirden as a witch; best overall was Bailey James as Snow White.

Pet contest

The best Halloween costume winner was Sherry Lange's 3-year-old dog Babycakes, dressed as a hot dog with relish and ketchup.

The funniest trick winner was Ashton Phillips's dog Zoie, 3. A fast learner, Zoie sat, danced, twirled and crawled.

The pet/owner look-alike contest was won by a 4-year-old golden retriever, Maverick, and owner Penny Ressel. Ressel, decked out in her Rams school spirit sweatshirt, coordinated with Maverick's football uniform.

The scariest dog winner was Chastity Ellison's 5-year-old Lexis dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West.

cpagano@semissourian.com

388-3648

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