 Four-year-old Ryan Helm
wanted to be a Ninja for Halloween, but once he laid eyes the scarecrow costume his
grandmother made, he traded in the throwing stars for a little bit of hay.
Helm was among dozens
of pint-sized ghosts, goblins, witches, cats and Teletubbies that invaded downtown
Salisbury during its annual Halloween Fun Fest Saturday afternoon.
Downtown Salisbury Inc. and
Salisbury Parks and Recreation treated area children to carnival games, fun, food and even
trick-or-treating with some of the local downtown merchants passing out candies to
youngsters.
Parents were pleased with the
opportunity to take their children to an organized and festive event on the eve of
Halloween.
“This is an opportunity for
kids of all ages to get dressed in their favorite costumes and have a good, fun, happy and
safe time,” said Liz Tennent, marketing director.
Participants were certainly made
to feel safe with McGruff the crime dog on hand and Salisbury police officers and
firefighters manning some of the games. Livingstone and Catawba College students also
served as volunteers during the event.
“Bo” the Weevil and
Rowan Regional Medical Center’s mascot, HealthNut, also participated in the Halloween
fun.
Mike and Kelly Schleicher, who
just moved to Salisbury from Iowa, said they enjoyed the opportunity to bring their
daughters Ashton, 9, and Allison, 7, out for an evening of fun. Not to mention the
wonderful weather.
“This is the first time we
didn’t have to wear coats, gloves and hats on Halloween,” Kelly Schleicher said.
“It’s really great.”
As the afternoon turned to
evening, activities halted long enough for the day’s unsuspecting participants to
model their attire for judges during a parade around the First Union parking lot.
Immediately following was the line-up of costumes was a contest.
Helm’s parents, Richard and
Christina Helm, were proud of their little scarecrow as he danced around the parking lot
and strutted his straw filled suit to blaring music. His stick arms didn’t keep him
from playing games or jumping in the “Moonwalk.” It was obvious he was having a
good time.
As her son moved about, Christina
Helm shared the story behind the scarecrow ensemble. She said the costume had become
somewhat of a family heirloom.
Helm said her sister, now 15 years
old, wore the costume five years earlier. On a recent trip to WestVirginia to visit her
mother, EllenDaniel, they found the scarecrow outfit among other Halloween memorabilia.
“All we did was add a few
things to it, and he was able to wear it,” Helm said. “We thought he would like
it.”
Not only did Ryan like his
costume, but so did judges. The costume won him second place in the costume competition. |
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