Havre de Grace Halloween Parade Attracts More Than 800

The Havre de Grace Halloween Parade provided plenty of treats and a few surprises Thursday night.

Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty greeted the crowd of more than 800 people on North Washington Street, according to Karen Green, who helped organized the event. Another political figure also stopped by for what has become one of the city’s most festive traditions.

“A surprise appearance was made by gubernatorial candidate Larry Hogan, who was accompanying County Executive David Craig,” Green said.

Sponsored by the Havre de Grace Recreation Committee, the parade and costume contest were a hit with the crowd. Judges Louann Swam, Bob Greene, Brigitte Peters, Cathy Vincenti and Terri Glenn identified the following 15 costumes as the winners, according to Green:

1. Lighthouse—Henry Baker
2. Laundry Room—Polk Family
3. Skeleton—Michael Curry
4. Transformer—Holden Coe
5. Butcher Table—Olivia Gorsuch
6. Monsters Under Bed—Layla Gray
7. Police Call Box—Malachy Sharkey
8. Toy Story—Whitehurst Family
9. Pirate Ship—Jonathan and Matthias Holman
10. Plane—Gaige Lee
11. Donald Duck—Kodi Thrift
12. Sesame Street
13. Wizard of Oz—Lamb Family
14. Minnie Mouse—Mackenzie Phelan
15. Genie Carpet Ride—Laura Rainville

Grand prize winners received candy and a cash prize in varying amounts.

Many people helped make the event possible, and Green thanked the Susquehanna Hose Company and Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps for lighting the streets. She also noted with gratitude that City Councilmen David Glenn and Steve Gamatoria and city risk manager Patrick Sypolt lent a hand to contestants as they took on the staircases.

There was more entertainment on top of the costumes. Havre de Grace Recreation Committee President John Narvell emceed the event, and Mark Hemler of M.C. Productions acted as the DJ. In addition, the Havre de Grace Drama Guild performed a dance under the direction of Brittany Rosenkrans.

This year’s event was spooktacular, as has come to be expected in Havre de Grace, but watch out—2015 may be a cut above.

“Next year will mark 30 years,” Green said. “Save the date!”

Pictured, the Havre de Grace Halloween Parade winner is Henry Baker, dressed as the lighthouse. Photo courtesy of the winner’s mother, Bethany Baker, executive director of Friends of Concord Point Lighthouse and Keeper’s House.