Seven Hump Wump Walks Away With Halloween Trophy In Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — This year’s Newtown's Halloween Parade brought out both the funny and the scary side of the season. And the creativity was again off the wall.

Everyone was there, from Scooby-Doo and Velma to Alice in Wonderland (the O’Neill family), who scrambled out of the rabbit hole just for the parade.

Also making an appearance straight out of the movie, Christmas Vacation, was the Griswold (Laubscher) family, and the cast of Frozen (Ashley, Ryan and Jude Bellman and Joann Pereira).

Dressed in costume, the members of the Council Rock High School North Marching Band, under the direction of Wayne Bishop, set the tone for the event, playing Halloween songs as they led a parade of costumed children, adults, pets and families on a walk through town, from the Stocking
Works to Brian Gregg Park.

Along the way State Street shop owners, customers and visitors watched as Halloween passed by, many marveling at the creativity that is always a part of this hometown parade.

Standing out from the crowd this year was Dr. Seuss's Wump and the Invisible Man (Kim McDermott). And sending some serious Halloween chills along the parade route were Nicholas Carcaci and Joe Lovi as the Zombie Farmer accompanied by the Killer Scarecrow.

Also joining the march was Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Wendy, Tinker Bell and the gang from Peter Pan; Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz; a fortune teller; and Mr. Toad from Toad Hall (Liam De Berra).

At Brian Gregg Memorial Park kids chased bubbles as the band performed its signature Halloween song, “Louie Louie” and selections from this year’s competition program.

Following the performance, Newtown Borough Recreation Board members announced the winners of this year’s costume parade, which was judged by Police Chief James Sabath, borough Councilwoman Emily Heinz and Borough Secretary Judi Musto.

Walking away with the top prize - the Mayor’s Trophy - was the Prousi family including Anthony, Sommer, Delphine and Luisa and grandparents, Donna and Bart Pio with the Seven Hump Wump-inspired character from Dr. Seuss.

“This has been a total family experience,” said Anthony. “We are a huge fan of Dr. Seuss and we wanted something that we could do together. My wife conceptualized this. It’s just a bunch of blankets that have been sewn together and everyone is wearing a helmet to keep the form. It’s all
homemade.”

Other awards went to:

• Halloween Humor: First Place, Cora Curtin (Fortune Teller); Second Place, Jeff and Stephen Brown (Dinosaurs); and Third Place, Finn Aspell (Scarecrow)

• Halloween Horror: First Place, Kim McDermott (Invisible Man); Second Place, Gabby Chopan (Zombie Nurse); and Third Place, Connor Curtin (Dragon).

• Storybook/Fantasy: First Place, Jacquelyn Williams (Neverland/Peter Pan); Second Place, Mae O'Neill, Veronica Sims, Collin and Dave (Alice in Wonderland); and Third Place, Liam de Barra (Mr. Toad of Toad Hall).

• TV And Movies: First Place, Megan, MC, Christian and Josephine Laubscher (Christmas Vacation); Second Place, Ashley, Ryan, Joann and Jude Bellman (Frozen); and Third Place, Mallory, Quinn and Parker Neuman (Harry Potter, Delores and Luna).

• Cutest Couple: First Place, Jack and Brody Holder (Stitch and Disney Cast Member) and Second Place, Sophie and Sasha Addison (Mary Poppins).

• Group Theme: First Place, Rae, Stephen and Zoey Rutkowski (Scooby Doo); Second Place, Tracey, Jordan, Molly and Joel Osecki (Little Mermaid); and Third Place, Andrew, Laura, Nathan and Samantha Belanoff-Smith (Ghostbusters).

• Parent & Child: First Place, Meredith and Caroline Brown (Dorothy and Glinda); Second Place, David, Eleanor and Winston Ball (Hagrid, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger); and Third Place, Sarah, Chris, Addie and Charlotte Ludwig (80s pop and rock stars).

• Pampered Pets: First Place, Jordan, Brianna and Oliver Roth (Scooby Doo), and Second Place, Matthew and Connor West (Jungle).

• Best Float: Nicolas Carcuci and Joe Lovi, Zombie farmer and his killer scarecrow.

• Best Homemade Costume: First Place, Anthony, Sommer, Delphine and Luisa Prousi and grandparents, Donna and Bart Pio (Seven Hump Wump from Dr. Suess); Second Place, Callahan Herrity (spider); and Third Place, Raffy Aspell (Spongebob).

• Youngest: Samantha Belanoff-Smith, 5 Months Old (Ghostbusters).

• Best Borough Resident: Nicolas Carcuci and Joe Lovi (Zombie farmer and his killer scarecrow).

• Mayor's Trophy: Anthony, Sommer, Delphine and Luisa Prousi and grandparents, Donna and Bart Pio (7 Hump Wump from Dr. Seuss).

The Newtown Borough Recreation Board organized the parade and provided the ribbons. Prizes were donated by borough and township businesses.

All in all it was another memorable “small town America” moment on the streets of historic Newtown Borough.