Children from the Dowagiac area marched through Downtown Dowagiac wearing their Halloween costumes Saturday. Leader Photo/AMBROSIA NELDON

Dozens of children from the area filled the streets of downtown Dowagiac Saturday dressed in Halloween costumes as part of the Dowagiac Optimist Club’s annual costume parade.
Judges assigned to various age groups chose the top three costumes in each group and awarded the winners with prizes. First prize winners were awarded $15, second place winners won $10 and  third place winners won $5.
All participants were given a bag of candy provided by local businesses.
Dave Strlekar, of the Dowagiac Optimist Club, thanked community members and local businesses for their participation and assistance in providing another year of Halloween fun for local children.

Winners in each category were as follows:

Infant to 2 years
1st Place: Avery Lyons, dressed as “Boo, the Purple Monster” from Monsters, Inc.
2nd Place: Delanie
Dutoi, dressed as an owl
3rd place: Aiden Larock, dressed as a monkey

3 to 4 years
1st Place: Denton Stacks as the “Bat Car” from Batman
2nd Place: Brady Kastelic as a fireman
3rd Place: Clark Stevens as a dragon

5 to 6 years
1st Place: Skylar Tackitt as a Rag Doll
2nd Place: Ryan Schrader as a ghost
3rd Place: Chloe Palmer as a witch

7 to 8 years
1st Place: Jessica Schrader as Dracula
2nd Place: Ruby
Maggert as an 80’s girl
3rd Place: William Cook as Batman

9 to 11 years
1st Place: Chasity Ruiz as a kitty
2nd Place: Avion Ruiz as a monster
3rd Place: Jonathan Springsteen as a
ninja