Spooktacular Draws Hundreds Of Families To Downtown Warsaw

October 27, 2023 at 7:49 p.m.
The Henthorns covered many of the characters from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” for their costumes for Friday’s Downtown Spooktacular. Jordynn was Violet, Jensen was Charlie, Jaxton was Augustus, Jayden was Willy, Joslynn was an Oompa Loompa and Carrie was Veruca Salt. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
The Henthorns covered many of the characters from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” for their costumes for Friday’s Downtown Spooktacular. Jordynn was Violet, Jensen was Charlie, Jaxton was Augustus, Jayden was Willy, Joslynn was an Oompa Loompa and Carrie was Veruca Salt. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union

By DAVID L. SLONE Managing Editor

Perfect weather for most of Friday evening’s annual Spooktacular brought out the ghouls, superheroes and literary characters to downtown Warsaw.
No genre of costume was left out as there was even a port-a-potty and washing machine. Families went with themes like the McMullens and their “Super Mario Bros.” costumes, or the Henthorns and their “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” choice.
Walking from table to tent to vehicle, kids in their costumes got plenty of goodies for 1-1/2 hours of trick-or-treating.

    Silvana (L) and Vanessa Flores (R) were two of the kids who took the opportunity to ride a horse Friday at the Downtown Spooktacular. The horse and pony were provided by Equestrian Dreams, Wabash. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
 
 



Secret judges roamed the crowds and the long lines to award a total of 36 prizes in six different categories. Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Member Relations Manager Scott Wiley said the six categories were cutest, most creative, best use of props, scariest, best group and most comical. No registration was required for the costume contest.
Main Street Warsaw, in partnership with Kensington Digital Media, the city of Warsaw and Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club hosted the 2023 Spooktacular.
Food trucks and vendors also were set up along Center and Buffalo streets. Equestrian Dreams out of Wabash provided horse and pony rides for $5.
Additional event sponsors include Family Express, Miller’s Senior Living Community and Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation.
Main Street Warsaw strives to develop Warsaw’s Central Business District through investments in people, buildings, businesses and land. For more information, visit www.mainstreetwarsaw.org.

Taylor Hinson (L) and Gage Howard (R) dressed up as Jessie and Woody, respectively, from the "Toy Story" movies. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
    Kameron Tom’s costume as a man in a port-a-potty for Friday’s Downtown Spooktacular drew many laughs from the crowd. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
 
 
    Characters from “Super Mario Bros.” was a favorite theme for Friday’s Downtown Spooktacular. Pictured as the beloved video game and movie characters are the McMullens and Patricks - Brian, Mari, Samuel, Brian, Ruth and Theodora. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
 
 


Perfect weather for most of Friday evening’s annual Spooktacular brought out the ghouls, superheroes and literary characters to downtown Warsaw.
No genre of costume was left out as there was even a port-a-potty and washing machine. Families went with themes like the McMullens and their “Super Mario Bros.” costumes, or the Henthorns and their “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” choice.
Walking from table to tent to vehicle, kids in their costumes got plenty of goodies for 1-1/2 hours of trick-or-treating.

    Silvana (L) and Vanessa Flores (R) were two of the kids who took the opportunity to ride a horse Friday at the Downtown Spooktacular. The horse and pony were provided by Equestrian Dreams, Wabash. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
 
 



Secret judges roamed the crowds and the long lines to award a total of 36 prizes in six different categories. Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Member Relations Manager Scott Wiley said the six categories were cutest, most creative, best use of props, scariest, best group and most comical. No registration was required for the costume contest.
Main Street Warsaw, in partnership with Kensington Digital Media, the city of Warsaw and Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club hosted the 2023 Spooktacular.
Food trucks and vendors also were set up along Center and Buffalo streets. Equestrian Dreams out of Wabash provided horse and pony rides for $5.
Additional event sponsors include Family Express, Miller’s Senior Living Community and Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation.
Main Street Warsaw strives to develop Warsaw’s Central Business District through investments in people, buildings, businesses and land. For more information, visit www.mainstreetwarsaw.org.

Taylor Hinson (L) and Gage Howard (R) dressed up as Jessie and Woody, respectively, from the "Toy Story" movies. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
    Kameron Tom’s costume as a man in a port-a-potty for Friday’s Downtown Spooktacular drew many laughs from the crowd. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
 
 
    Characters from “Super Mario Bros.” was a favorite theme for Friday’s Downtown Spooktacular. Pictured as the beloved video game and movie characters are the McMullens and Patricks - Brian, Mari, Samuel, Brian, Ruth and Theodora. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union
 
 


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