By SUSAN THACKER
sthacker@gbtribune.com
Monday night may be the official date for Tricks or Treats in Great Bend, but plenty of children found themselves enjoying a three-day weekend that began Saturday. Several families braved 30-degree temperatures to attend the annual Kiwanis parade Saturday morning and the Great Bend Brit-Spaugh Zoo Boo in the evening.
Three gift certificates were awarded shortly after noon Saturday, for the best costumes in three age groups. First place for children 5 and under went to Jada Ellis, an Ellinwood girl dressed as a bride.
The Kiwanis couldn’t resident choosing Autumn Jackson as the winner of the 6-12 age group. She wanted to join the parade dressed as a toilet seat, but heeded her mom’s advice to go as an outhouse. "There used to be one of these right in the courthouse square," said Joe Boley with the Great Bend Noon Kiwanis.
The final prize, for teens, went to Lindsay Creamer, who carried her 13-month-old son Zayne as they portrayed Monster High voodoo dolls.
Kids got plenty of treats from businesses along Main Street on Saturday, and even more treats at the Zoo Boo.
Boley couldn’t recall how many years Great Bend has offered a parade on the Saturday before Halloween, but several parents said they were back for the second or third year. Liston Marsh, walking with Dominic, Liberty and Deklin Marsh of Great Bend, said the first Halloween costume she recalled was a homemade gypsy outfit.
"Mom’s favorite holiday is Hallwoeen," Marsh said, "so she would dress up and take us trick or treating."
