Costumed kiddies, adults during annual Halloween Block Party in Hagerstown
Roughly 35 businesses and organizations shared in the Halloween spirit on Friday night at the Halloween Block Party in downtown Hagerstown.
Hundreds of people, including adults and children dressed in costumes and Halloween apparel, attended the event sponsored by Hagerstown's downtown community engagement office.
First held when the annual Alsatia Mummers Parade was canceled due to COVID-19, the block party is in its third year and has become something of an opening act to the parade on Saturday.
"This event was something that our Main Street group wanted to do for years, and when we started three years ago, it was for the businesses to connect with the community," said Brittany Arizmendi, the city's community engagement officer.
For their part, downtown visitors enjoyed the festivities.
"The activities for the kids are great, and we need more events like this because we would come," Marissa Adames, who attended the event with her daughter, said. "She was screaming with excitement as soon as we got out of the car."
The youth costume contest was a hit with many children lined up for Mayor Tekesha Martinez to judge and choose the winner.
Ultimately, she chose 3-year-old Ezra Kashansky, portraying the Old Man from the Disney movie "Up," as the overall winner.
Last year: Hagerstown's Halloween block party brings out costumed crowd
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Third annual Halloween Block Party draws crowd to downtown Hagerstown
