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Washington students parade their costumes

Photo by Michael Kelly Washington Elementary School students walk under fall-cloaked trees during their Halloween parade around the neighborhood Friday afternoon.

Spooks, unicorns, cartoon and movie characters, one boy dressed as a tornado, knights, animals, princesses, witches and fairy tale icons walked by as the Washington Elementary School Halloween parade got under way Friday afternoon.

“It seemed like a good chance to connect with kids in a friendly way,” said Washington County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Kelly McGilton, getting a thumbs up from a werewolf and high-fives from other students.

The parade, around the block, was led by district curriculum director Jona Hall, cloaked in a Snow White gown and practical flat shoes. She carried her dog Daisy, a Chihuahua, enclosed in a hot dog costume and bearing a demeanor of comfortable resignation.

Principal Alicia McIntire dressed as a doctor.

“I wanted the girls to know they could become this,” she said.

Photo by Michael Kelly Kindergarten student Addie Johnson, dressed as Mary Poppins, climbs the steps at Washington Elementary School at the end of the school's Halloween costume parade around the neighborhood Friday afternoon.

After rounding the long block and back to the school, the students returned to class.

Kindergarten student Addie Johnson, in a long satin dress and bow tie, carrying a black folded umbrella, came as Mary Poppins.

“My mom really likes Mary Poppins, so I decided to come as her,” she said.

A group of fifth-grade friends stopped on the way into the school to pet Daisy. They came to the parade dressed as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

“I was looking at Pinterest one night and talking to a friend about it on the phone and my mom said, ‘What about being the Seven Dwarfs?'” said Kipplin McNeil, bearing a shirt that read, “Happy.”

Photo by Michael Kelly Sgt. Kelly McGilton greets costumed students at Washington Elementary School as they set off for a Halloween parade through the neighborhood on Friday afternoon.

Twins Adele and Maevry McCombs – Sleepy and Sneezy – said their mother devised the costumes. They’ll be going out together Saturday night in the same gear.

McIntire said the parade revives a long-standing tradition at Washington that fell by the wayside several years ago.

As they marched through the neighborhood, some residents made their out onto their porches and sidewalks to wave and encourage the costumed students.

Michael Kelly can be contacted at mkelly@mariettatimes.com.

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