Dowagiac Optimist Club’s annual Halloween parade through the central business district Saturday morning, thanks to a brisk, but sunny day, was much larger than usual.

The procession, from Beckwith Park south on Front Street, around City Hall and back north on Depot Drive, stretched out a city block.

Prizes were awarded in five age categories up to 11 years old for costumes. It was blustery, which even attracted Winnie-the-Pooh. Trick-or-treating is tonight from 6 to 7.