Halloween fun delights kids in Sisters

The drizzle let up and the sun peeked out just in time for Sisters' annual Halloween parade, from ladybugs and Batman to witches and werewolves, excited trick-or-treaters gathered in Village Green Park on Friday with their treat bags in hand.

A few four-legged family members came along as well, including a miniature horse dressed as a giant spider with her handler, Kate Beardsley (see story, page 18).

The parade headed out at 3 p.m. in two groups, one, led by Sisters Library Manager Zoe Schumacher to the west end of town and the other to the east with Rotarian Kathryn Godsiff leading the way across Elm and down Hood Avenue toward the local merchants.

One of the first merchants on the Hood Avenue route was Eurosports, at its new location. Eurosports owner Brad Boyd and Karen Kassy handed out treats to the kids in their creative costumes.

Kassy was outside on the corner of their new location dressed as a twister game board with her Newfoundland Sofia, dressed as a ladybug.

"The Halloween parade is a wonderful community event. It's safe fun for the kids, and a delight for me," said Kassy.

The annual Halloween parade is sponsored by Sisters Rotary and the Sisters branch of the Deschutes Public Library. Peg Bermel, who served as Sisters library manager for over 30 years, remembers founding the very first Halloween parade.

"We were in the old library at the time, around 1984, and I decided to take about four or five kids trick-or-treating to the local merchants. It just got bigger and bigger every year," Bermel said. "Last year was the first time that I didn't organize it. The Rotary stepped in for the past two years, and did the organizing. It's a great program for the kids. It's wonderful to see parents, grandparents, and the merchants all enjoy a colorful and festive parade."

The Halloween celebration continued at Sisters-Camp Sherman fire hall at 6 p.m., with a frightfully fantastic evening of fun, games, refreshments, and the haunted maze, all hosted by firefighters and volunteers to keep kids safe and off the street.

"Every year we enjoy teaching the kids about fire safety in a fun way, and they really enjoy it, said Fire Chief Roger Johnson.