Brownstown group hosts Halloween costume parade

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BROWNSTOWN

A little rain never hurt anybody.

What started as just a handful of people turned into about 50 by the time Wednesday night’s Brownstown/Ewing Main Street Halloween costume parade started.

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With a light rain falling and some wind, people came prepared with umbrellas to stay dry on the route.

The parade started behind McDonald’s and went through the Jackson County Courthouse lobby and some downtown businesses.

It ended at Heritage Park, where a costume contest was conducted.

The Helwig family of Brownstown was among the people who braved the not-so-favorable weather to be a part of the event.

“We came out last year and had a lot of fun, so we just wanted to try it again. And of course, the kids are excited about trick or treating every year,” Matt Helwig said.

“The kids don’t mind the sprinkles and the rain,” his wife, Bethany Helwig, said. “We’re ready to have fun.”

Heidi, 6, dressed as Pippi Longstocking, while her brother, Zachary, 5, was Batman, and sister, Carmen, 3, was a puppy.

All of the kids agreed getting candy is the best part about Halloween.

The family was appreciative of the event going on despite the weather, and afterwards, they headed back to their neighborhood to trick or treat.

“It brings people together,” Matt said.

“It gets people out to see neighbors and friends,” Bethany said.

In the courthouse, four employees handed out candy, and three Jackson County 4-H Junior Leaders members had candy and 4-H information to put in children’s bags.

Jackson County Auditor Kathy Hohenstreiter liked being a part of the event again this year.

“Oh because absolutely this is just fun. What else can you say?” she said.

She was in the Halloween spirit, too, wearing a witch’s hat. She found some for a low price at Target and bought them for her staff members to wear Wednesday.

“This year, we decorated our office,” Hohenstreiter said. “We had a really good time with it.”

She said the event is a positive thing for the community.

“Most of the time, we have to deal with everybody on such a business-type situation, so it is fun to do something that is fun to do and actually makes everybody happy and smile,” she said. “If we make somebody smile, we’re all about it absolutely.”

Maria Anderson, a member of the Brownstown/Ewing Main Street board, said she was glad to see the turnout of the event considering it was a rainy, windy, cool night.

“Brownstown is definitely a place where the community gets involved,” she said. “Even though it was raining, we had several businesses set up.”

That also included The Peoples Bank, Blondie’s Pizzeria & Pub and Casey’s Cakes & Classes around the square and Scott Sales & Service on the Heritage Park stage.

Brownstown McDonald’s was a sponsor of the event, providing trick or treat bags and refreshments to participants.

“We can’t thank all of those businesses enough to come out and help us,” Anderson said. “That’s definitely what you can say about our small town, the small-town support.”

Everyone hopes for a drier Halloween next year.

“We’re hoping next year, we can do something maybe bigger and better and have more kids involved,” Anderson said.

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Costume contest winners from Brownstown/Ewing Main Street’s second Halloween costume parade

Ages 3 and under: Ashton Marshall

Ages 4 to 6: Odin Temple

Ages 7 to 9: Brayden Haub

Ages 10 and older: Rozellyn Asbell

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