By MADDY VITALE
Halloween wasn’t just meant for getting candy while dressed in scary, comical or whimsical costumes.
For Ocean City visitors and residents, All Hallows’ Eve meant taking a stroll on the Boardwalk on a breezy, sunny afternoon.
Some people even dressed their dogs in costume as they walked on the beach or quickly hopped onto the Boardwalk for a photo op.
And some people were pleasantly surprised when a person handed out free orange plastic pumpkins for children to fill with goodies for trick-or-treat.
Brent and Katie McIvor, of Ocean City, brought their sons, Calvin, 3, and 1-year-old Benjamin, up to the boards to enjoy the weather, but also proudly display their adorable costumes for other strollers.
The brothers, dressed as characters Pumbaa and Timon from The Lion King, giggled as they posed for a picture.
“We may go out tonight a little bit, but not a long time,” Brent McIvor said. “But we wanted to take advantage of the day so the kids could wear their costumes.”
Katie McIvor added, “It’s nice just to go out for a walk on the Boardwalk.”
Trick-or-treating was from 5 to 8 p.m. So for those who wanted to extend the fun from the day to night, Ocean City was the place to do it.
The city gave out door hangers last week to homeowners for them to display to signal to families where the participating Halloween homes were located.
Ocean City Councilman Jody Levchuk, also co-owner of the Jilly’s shops, and his wife, Jill, brought their children Leni and Jordyn trick-or-treating with friends.
“We had a great time trick-or-treating for hours with the kids all over Ocean City,” Jody Levchuk said. “Every house and every block was filled with parents and kids having genuine fun. I honestly don’t remember trick-or-treating being this fun when I was a kid.”
While it wasn’t a beach day, per se, it was mild enough for Michael Capizola, of Ocean City, and his sister, Alex Capizola, of Bridgewater, N.J., and her boyfriend, Tyler Ahern, of Hackettstown, N.J., to take a quick peek at the water with their dog, Macy, a Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix dressed in costume.
The Capizolas dressed as a Pokemon character, Pikachu, and a Sponge Bob character.
“It’s a good day to wear our costumes,” Alex Capizola said. “They are cozy.”
And even Macy dressed for the holiday — as a shark.
The shark outfit went on just long enough for Macy to have her photo taken.
“I think she is embarrassed,” Alex said with a laugh.
Donna Power, of Ocean City, called the day “fantastic” on the Boardwalk with her grandson, Carter Power, 8, of Ocean City.
“It’s been a banner day. Someone gave me a hat and a man was handing out these pumpkins,” she said, pointing to a plastic candy holder in Carter’s hands. “Tonight, Carter will use it when he goes trick-or-treating with his cousins.”
Carter nibbled on candy while prepping early for the night festivities.
“I can’t wait to see my cousins,” he said. “We always have fun.”
Families enjoyed the day in all different ways.
Jess Sucharski and her boyfriend, Nick Familetti, both of Philadelphia, spent the Halloween weekend at her family’s Ocean City home. Familetti’s family has a home in neighboring Sea Isle.
The couple brought down their dog, Pippa, a King Charles Cavalier. Pippa was decked out in a bright orange Halloween shirt complete with “bats” on it.
“So, my mom bought her this shirt the last time she babysat her,” Sucharski explained. “We figured we should show it off for Halloween.”
