Stormy weather doesn't scare crowds away from Halloween parade

The Ocean City Exchange Club’s 77th annual Halloween Parade marched along Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street on Thursday night, spreading plenty of laughs, scares and smiles to families and spectators who lined the sidewalks.

The event featured many extravagant commercial and private floats, decorated vehicles, costume contests, marching bands, cheerleading, dance and gymnastic teams.

Costumed community members paraded through downtown, handing out candy as families lined the sidewalks, cheering, laughing and holding out their trick-or-treat bags.

Ocean City faced stormy weather for much of the day, but skies cleared before the parade began. Despite the earlier rain, turnout from both participants and spectators was strong. The parade began at 7:15 a.m. and concluded around 8:30 p.m.

“The parade has been awesome tonight,” said Katherine Ospina, who came from Galloway Township with her son, Nicholas. “We’re glad we came down We’re really enjoying ourselves here.”

    A "Ghostbusters" cop car gives the parade some Hollywood flair.
  

Ospina said her favorite part of the parade was a “Jaws” themed float, featuring a giant shark and beach props, while Nicholas said he loved collecting candy from the costumed marchers handing it out along the route.

The parade featured separate costume contest divisions for contestants ages 12 and under, over 12, organized groups marching in costume, and even animals and pets. All divisions were judged at Ninth Street in front of City Hall.

Frank DeMarco entered the adult costume contest as Megatron, the villain from “Transformers,” alongside his friend, Brad Sullick, who dressed as the hero, Optimus Prime.

DeMarco said they built their elaborate costumes from scratch using cardboard, foam, duct tape, hot glue and other household items.

“It's all homemade, just a fun hobby,” DeMarco said. “It's something that I really enjoy, and it's nice to walk this parade and be able to see people excited about the costume.”

DeMarco said it took him between 60 and 80 hours to construct his costume for this year.

    The "Transformers" show off their elaborate costumes.
  

Fran Mack entered the costume contest under the animals and pets division with her bulldog, Jose. Her float, titled “Ruff Seas,” was handcrafted by Mack using PVC pipe, cardboard and a dolly with a hand truck.

It resembled a small fishing boat for Jose, complete with rods, a minnow trap and fake waves along the sides.

Dressed as a fish, Jose rode inside the boat with a wide smile and his tongue sticking out for the entire parade.

“I just love entertaining the kids, putting smiles on kids' faces,” Mack said. “I really enjoy everything about this parade, especially the homemade costumes. This parade also has a costume division specifically for pets, which is nice.”

Mack tossed out Swedish fish from her minnow trap to the kids along the sidewalk collecting candy.

    The "Ruff Seas" float resembling a small boat features Fran Mack and her bulldog, Jose.
  

Ginny and Jason Plum brought their 15-month-old son, Emery, for his first Ocean City Halloween Parade. Ginny said she grew up watching the parade every year and enjoyed seeing it again, this time as a parent.

“It’s been a really fun experience, we're just enjoying our time here together tonight,” she said.

Ginny said Emery loved seeing the fire trucks go by, while she and Jason were most excited to see the marching bands perform.

The beloved “HoBo Band”, the Ocean City High School Marching Band and Drama Guild, the Mainland Regional High School Marching Band, and other local dance teams were there performing for spectators.

    A giant skeleton looms from the back of a pickup truck.

    Children are dressed as ghouls and goblins in this float.
  

    A colorful candy costume draws admiring looks from spectators.
  

    Spectators line Asbury Avenue as the parade rolls through the downtown.
  

    The "Back to the Future" float includes characters from the movie.