From spooky to sweet

Three-year-old Devon McGee scaled the jungle gym as Captain America with his counterpart, a mini-sized Spiderman, or rather his 2-year-old brother Mason, as they engaged in playground crime fighting before the start of the annual Ragamuffin parade in Secaucus last weekend.
Hundreds of parents, kids, relatives, and friends came out for this annual tradition to enjoy a sun-filled autumn day on Oct. 23 decked out in creative Halloween costumes.
Witches, princesses, commandoes, superheroes, and Harry Potter’s amongst many other cute costumed characters made their way from Clarendon Elementary School through town center to Buchmuller Park, where pumpkin painting, prizes, and animal petting awaited.
Many residents waved from porches and stoops.
The sun brought out a number of ladybugs, a costume popular with the little ones. Among them was 7-month-old Ava Baer, who had a giant white flower adorning her head as she sat in her stroller, and 11-month-old Elin Drumeler in a puffy red costume with black spots and red antennae, held by dad, Town Administrator David Drumeler.
Sixteen-month-old Robert Malanka, grandson of Mayor Michael Gonnelli, came dressed as a tiny Winnie the Pooh.
A cadre of colorful Yo Gabba Gabba television characters made an appearance in a red wagon. 22-month-old Tyler Flanagan, dressed up as a green, furry Brobee sat next to his 3-year-old brother Thomas, dressed up in a red costume as Muno. Their 21-month-old cousin Kiera Hennessy wore a pink costume as Foofa.
“[Yo Gabba Gabba] is their favorite show,” said Tammy Hennessy, mom to Kiera.
Other kid favorites included the Super Mario Brothers characters from the Nintendo video game. The Hanke family dressed the parts with mom Heather as Princess Peach in a blond wig and long, flowing pink dress, 5-year-old Brendan Hanke as Mario, with mustache and red hat, and 7-year-old Hunter as Mario’s nemesis in a purple Wario costume.
“I love seeing the kids smile and get excited,” said Heather Hanke.
It wouldn’t be Super Mario Brothers without a Luigi – and there were a few to be found, including 8-year-old Christopher Zemak, who proudly wore the green hat with a giant L and blue overalls.
“Cause he’s awesome!” said Zemak as to why he chose to be Luigi for Halloween.
“It is very festive. It is nice to get everybody together,” said Sal Ventura, a longtime Secaucus resident and baker at the Lyndhurst Stop-n-Shop. Ventura brought his 3-year-old dog to the parade that came dressed as Krypto, the super dog.
At the end of the parade, kids hand one thing on their mind.
“Getting candy,” said 5-year-old Cayden Drumeler, dressed as an Eagles football player, regarding what he likes most about Halloween.
Adriana Rambay Fernández may be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.