VENTNOR – The Ventnor Home and School Association has been sponsoring the city’s annual Halloween Parade for decades, either at the Ventnor Educational Community Complex or on the boardwalk, but this year a change in venue brought out more participants than ever.
According to President Erin McDevitt, there were more than 100 entries recorded in this year’s parade.
“Having it at Ski Beach has made it more successful with more children participating,” she said. “Donna (Peterson) who runs Special Events suggested we have it at Ski Beach this year and it went very well.”
The bayfront park was the perfect place to hold a parade on a crisp sunny day. A row of food trucks and vendors wrapped around the outside of the park. In the grassy area, children played games, painted pumpkins and tried their hand at archery.
Students of the VECC Band in costume led the parade around the perimeter of the park. Children and families dressed up in homemade and purchased costumes made their way around the park to the judging area, which included members of the HSA and Mayor Tim Kriebel. There were so many great costumes, it was quite a challenge to select the winners in several categories.
Ventnor held its annual Halloween Parade Sunday, Oct. 27 at Ski Beach.The Flynns of Smithville took first place in the Most Creative category.
Mom Michelle and Dad John rolled their children in a stroller decorated as Woody’s Toy Box. Inside were Jonathan, age 2, dressed as Woody, and Madelyn, 3 months, as Jesse.
Michelle Flynn said she has been in the parade since she was a youngster.
“My mom still lives in Ventnor so we came back for this. Once a Ventnor kid, always a Ventnor kid,” she said.
Mel and Pat Schall of Ventnor Heights, dressed as characters on the Monopoly game board, took first place in the Best Group category.
“This is so exciting. Mel grew up in Ventnor, so to come back and win was really special,” she said.
Her son Gavin, 2, was dressed as Monopoly money.
Rye Kennedy, 9, of Ventnor, said he liked it better when it was held on the boardwalk.
“But the vendor stands are pretty cool, and I’m having fun,” he said.
Rich and Amber Frye, who own Frye’s Auto in Margate, live in Egg Harbor Township, but came out for some Halloween fun.
“We love attending any type of event where we can bring the kids,” Amber Frye said.
They attended past parades but liked the venue at Ski Beach more.
“It’s much better here,” she said.
And Noa Zaken, 9, of Ventnor, came dressed as her idol – all-time female Olympic gold medal winner Katie Ledecky. She was dressed in a red, white and blue American flag robe. She wore all the medals she has won as a member of the Margate Sharks swim team that swims at the Marjorie & Lewis Katz JCC.
“I always see her on the Olympics,” Noa said. “She is so cool.”
Ventnor City Halloween Parade Winners
Best group:
1) Monopoly Family
2) Chucky and Bride of Chucky
3) Christmas
Best DIY
1) Rock & Roll
2) Minions and Gru
3) Scarecrow
Scariest
1) Grim Reaper
2) Tall Skeleton
3) Zombie Baseball Player
Most Creative
1) Toy Story
2) Peacock
3) Colonel Sanders
Here are photos of some of the winners of the Ventnor City Halloween Parade & Festival.Copyright Access Network 2024
