Dressing up
Colorful characters flood the streets of Columbia to celebrate Halloween
Costumed characters from many different genres: horror, fantasy, children’s stories and much more turned out Saturday to trick-or-treat on Main Street in Columbia State Historic Park for the annual “Boo Boulevard” celebration.
Shopkeepers either stuck to their usual 19th-century attire or chose other costumes that fit the theme of All Hallows’ Eve and handed out candy to the hoards. There were store-bought costumes and homemade ones, and anyone who was interested could take part in a parade through the town.
Other fun activities included arts and crafts, a walk through a Spooky Trail complete with a coven of witches
stirring a strange brew (dry ice) in a cauldron, and a costume contest. The stagecoach was also on hand for rides through the park.
Families often picked a unified theme as in the “Where’s Waldo” family, dressed in red-and-white striped tops, glasses and hats.
Robin Akers, of Twain Harte, said her daughter, Erin, 3, wanted to be Rapunzel (from the movie), so she built a castle for her out of cardboard. Dad, Shawn, wore the castle atop his shoulders with Erin inside. Mom was made up to be Pascal, a chameleon in the movie, as she walked beside them gathering candy.
One of the homemade costumes gained a lot of attention for its uniqueness. Jarod Slade, 31, of Columbia, was a dandelion gone to seed, sporting a headdress created by Andrea Anderson, 38, of Sonora, who also created her own mushroom-theme headwear.
Anderson said she saw the idea on Pinterest, but then did her own thing.
Another adorable, eyecatching costume for two was of an organ grinder and a little monkey, worn by grandfather/granddaughter duo Mark Cruz, 61, and Dorothy Cruz, 2, both of Coulterville.
Parents with a sense of humor Jenna Edwards and Donnie Lewis, of Columbia, dressed as laundry from their 2-month-old baby. Baby Evander Lewis was a good sport as he sat in his stroller with a laundry basket over his head.
Judah Anderson, 11, of Jamestown, played the fiddle and walked barefoot as his character, Huck Finn. His sister, Aubrey, was by his side in Narnia-inspired tree nymph attire and a delicate crown of twigs.
Event organizer and park docent Nikie Hobba, 70, of Sonora, was in costume as “Bloody Red Vanessa” and said she was happy that the weather held. She was thankful for the help from all of the volunteers who also went around collecting candy from businesses before the event. “The community response was beautiful,” she said.
Mike Nelson, of Ebler’s Leather and Saddlery Emporium, said he was happy to see “all these kids,” and the event was “the biggest we’ve seen in all of our time here.” His wife, Cheryl, handed out candy at the front of the business and said it was her “favorite time of the year.” Sombrero topped park volunteer Robert Alvarez, aka, “Shake It Well Chile”, 71, of Sonora delighted both adults and children as he sang and played his guitar and other instruments with his feet.
Ron and Lauren Ramirez, of San Andreas, attended with their two children, Renly, 6, who was a very convincing Victorian Vampire and Declan, 3, a dinosaur. Mom summed it up nicely by saying, “It is a lot of fun, a hidden treasure,” and “It is good to be out again and able to enjoy it.”
Contact Shelly Thorene at sthorene@ uniondemocrat.com or (209) 588-4527.