Overcast skies couldn’t put a damper on Wednesday afternoon’s Ragamuffin Parade; in fact, some of the ghastly ghouls and goblins actually enjoyed the gloomy environs. More than 100 of Hoboken’s cutest pumpkins, Power Rangers and other icons marched down Washington Street to take part in the annual city tradition.
Lead by a handful of bands and floats, the city’s masked youths were joined by adventurous adult witches and warlocks in celebration of the year’s spookiest holiday.
From the parade’s inception in 1964, residents have turned out in droves to look at the creative costumes, listen to music and watch the bands and antique cars stroll by.
This year was no different as Hoboken High School marching band started its processional through the city’s streets.
"It’s always so much fun," said three-year veteran of the parade Anna Marks, who was a witch for the day. "You can come out here and see wonderfully creative and cute costumes." Her 4-year-old daughter Josie came as a plump little pumpkin who already had accumulated a substantial stash of goodies.
"Halloween’s the best," said 9-year-old Spiderman Jonathan Milwood. "When else are you able give yourself a bellyache with candy and not get in trouble from your parents."
Of course, there were the traditional princesses, knights, ghosts and devils. But as every year, there were a handful innovative guises that stood out from the crowd. Nine-month-old Callie Jordan Scheier came as a pea in the pod. The youngster lay in her stroller smiling a huge toothless grin from behind her costume. A toddler also came as a pirate in an elaborate treasure chest of glittering coins that was fashioned out of his stroller.
The float of the classic work of children’s fiction, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, seemed the most creative. The parade participant, dressed as Wonka, led his candy float down the street accompanied by children dressed as Oompa Loompa.