While the sunny and warm weather didn’t create the most ideal atmosphere for the holiday, it was perfect for attracting children and parents downtown Saturday morning.

Nearly 100 children participated in the Dowagiac Optimist Club’s annual Halloween Parade. Led by a squad car driven by Director of Public Safety and Optimist Club President Steven Grinnewald, the brigade of werewolves, Disney princesses, comic book superheroes and other creative costumed youth made their way around the downtown district. Even a few of the parents got into the Halloween spirit with their own costumes.

Prior to the parade, the children lined up according to their age group, from infants all the way up to 11 years old. Members of the optimist club then judged the children’s costumes, picking out the top three in each group.

After the parade, the kids were given bags of the candy by the optimists.

Winning this year were:

0-2

First place: Paisley Carpenter

Second place: Jenner McDonald

Third place: Grace Chambers

3-4

First place: Max McDonald

Second place: Adam Eckman

Third place: Danielle Pontius

5-6

First place: Ryan Schrader

Second place: Lydia Wences

Third place: Gracey Pursley

7-8

First place: Skyla Tackitt

Second place: Sienna Potter

Third place: Zayden Rochefort

9-11

First place: Jessica Schrader

Second place: Triana Lee

Third place: Ruby Maggert