The streets of Vashon town were given over to spooks, ghouls, goblins and fairies who emerged en masse Saturday night, many toting umbrellas to protect themselves from a near-constant drizzle.
Spirits, though, hardly seemed dampened. The affair, like so many Halloweens on Vashon, was lively and creative, suggesting that the art of costumery is very much alive and well on the Island.
From the Tinman to a giant guitar, from Recycle Girl to Goldilocks, Islanders sported a range of images — scary, fun, outrageous and curious. There was also a flash-mob moment — when dozens of young dancers converged, seemingly spontaneously, on the main intersection and began a choreographed performance to “Thriller.”
Meanwhile, the Explorer program, a part of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue, reported the results of its annual costume contest. According to John Hemmer, who runs the program, the winners this year were as follows:
Kali Harless, 5, who dressed as a chicken, won “cutest.” Kendall Hawkins, 10, who appeared as a lawn statue, won “funniest.” The family award went to the Choo family — Ethan, 7, Sadie, 5, and Jamie, 5, who were, respectively, a snow owl, a birthday cake and a scorpion. Emily Wilson, 10, who dressed as a psycho vampire, won “scariest.” And last but not least, the “most creative” award went to Okley Reid, 10, who came as a phoenix.