Photos by Anna Hanson
A good amount of people despite the dreary weather kept the tradition alive at the annual Halloween Costume Parade in the City of Whiting on Saturday; a huge celebration for the city to show love to children.
To see more photos from the event click here!
Showing up one by one, the attendees made their way behind Chase Bank (119th & New York) with their costume on and their umbrellas over their heads, ready to go even in the freezing cold rain,
Whiting High School marching band was ready to support the kids and give back to the city. Patrick Pecher who is the band director for Whiting High School has taken part in the parade since he started at the school sixteen years ago. It’s a grand tradition for the high school to take part in any parade going on in the city.
“They will march in freezing cold, torrential downpour, really hot, whatever weather. They are ready when we need to,” Pecher said.
When asked about how he feels about the Halloween Parade, Pecher said, “It’s a great opportunity for the little kids to dress up, have fun, meet the older kids and give the band exposure.”
This is very important to this city. It is a huge tradition for people that live in it. Samantha Fernandez has taken part in the Halloween parade since she was a little girl. She used to bring her kids and now she brings her niece.
“I get lucky and bring her every year. I'm thirty-seven years old and we are trying to keep the tradition alive.”
Dressing up as a princess pirate partaking in the parade was a big thing for Estrella ‘Star’ Castillo. Mainly because it was the city she and her sister was born in. Since they were two years old till now(eleven years old), every year they have showed up. “I love this parade,” Castillo said.