Trunks, tricks and treats: Mid-Ohio Valley celebrates Halloween
Mid-Ohio Valley celebrates Halloween
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PARKERSBURG -- Treats and Halloween fun could be had all across the Mid-Ohio Valley over the weekend.
Saturday saw parades, many trunk or treats, parties and of course door-to-door trick or treating.
Festivities in Washington County kicked off early with the Marietta Noon Lions Club costume parade and other Halloween at the Park activities, shifted to the Washington County Fairgrounds poultry barn due to the anticipated rain. There was also a trunk or treat at the fairgrounds that evening.
Children and families showed off their costumes and were judged for the scariest: Braelynn and Chris Brown; cutest: Noah Archer and Brantley Brown; most original: Dawson Taylor and Kinsey Ruble; best family or group: The "DC Family;" and best in show: Noah Archer. Archer was dressed as a cuckoo clock with a mouse running up him.
Following the Parade, kids could make their way to the rabbit and poultry barn on the Washington County Fairgrounds, where local civic organizations had set up games, food and prizes galore.
According to event chairwoman Connie Grimes, the City of Marietta teamed up with the Zonta Club of the Mid-Ohio Valley, who decorated; the Lions Club, which organized the parade; Marietta Civitan Club, who did the cooking and setup; the Pioneer Ladies Civitan and Retired Senior Volunteer Program, who stuffed the candy bags; and the Kiwanis Builders Club and Key Club, who ran the games.
Grimes said the candy was all donated by Little Ceasar's.
More than 60 kids were able to make it out and enjoy the day.
Ashley Hoon brought out her daughter Addyson, 2, to enjoy her first time trick or treating and the costume contest.
"She loves Halloween," Ashley Hoon said.
Costumes ranging from common to unique could be seen. Olivia Graves, 9, won a few years back for scariest as a headless bride and said she wanted to raise the bar, dressing as a genie on a magic carpet this year.
Over in Wood County, the weather stayed clear for trunk-or-treat events all day.
McClinton Chevrolet held its event in conjunction with its third annual First Responder Appreciation Day.
"This is our first trunk or treat paired with the event," said Ginny Bowden, dealer at McClinton. "The idea is for first responders to bring their families (pets included), and they get two food and drink tickets for The Bodega, raffle tickets for over $2,000 in prizes and thank you cards from employees, customers and area kids."
Ten businesses hosted trunks at their event.
"It's good that they do this kind of stuff and recognize the first responders in the area," said Patrolman 1st Class J.L. Blake with Parkersburg Police Department. "It's nice to be recognized."
Once the evening set in, streets between Parkersburg High School and Parkersburg City Park were bustling with trick or treaters.
Both locations had an evening trunk or treat, and many houses along the streets connecting the two were passing out candy.
Some houses handed out candy like in the pre-pandemic days, while others set out bowls or found creative, no-contact ways to get candy to the kids.
"I am vaccinated and have my booster, and many of the kids are wearing Halloween masks," pointed out Suzy Haddox, a resident who was handing out candy. "I'm glad we can come out this year; it is good for the kids to have some normalcy."
The festivities didn't conclude Saturday.
Parkersburg South High School's student council held a trunk or treat in a parking lot behind the school on Halloween itself. It was the day that worked best for the students, adviser Jaime Moss said. It also left them with little competition since most events took place the night before.
"The students came to me and they wanted to do a fun activity for the kids that are coming up to us," Moss said.
Event co-head Hope Prunty said the goal was to do something positive that could impact the community and maybe inspire future South students to join student council.
"We just wanted to get the community together after two years of being stuck inside," co-head Hannah Parsons said.
Staff reporter Evan Bevins contributed to this story.
Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com.