The Alternative Press

HOPATCONG BOROUGH, NJ - The cute, the creepy, the spooky, and the scary, were out in full force in Hopatcong Borough yesterday, as residents of all ages came out for the borough's annual Halloween Parade, to either march, or watch.

Sponsored by the Hopatcong Business League, and the Borough of Hopatcong, the parade was dedicated in memory of Vito Castoro, owner of Sign Arts Graphics, who was known as a champion for the town's children.

Castoro's two grandchildren, James Lounsbery, age 17, and Michael Castoro, age 13, carried a banner in his memory.

"Vito was originally the President of the Business League," said Bob Wingard, the group's current president. "He passed away this year. He did everything for the kids."

Marie Galate, a member of the league, and Hopatcong Councilwoman said of Castoro, "He was the driving force behind our business league. He passed away very suddenly. It is important to pay tribute to him. It's a great loss. He was a great man. He's a true Hopatcong icon."

Galate said the borough sponsors the costume portion of the parade, while the league helps by giving out free hot dogs, and bottles of water for attendees, as well as goody bags for the children.

"We normally make up to 800 bags," Galate said.

"It's a nice community event," Galate said of the parade. "It pulls together people of all ages, kids, adults, pets, and even council people."

Galate carried one end of the league's banner, dressed as Minnie Mouse.

The Hopatcong Ambulance Squad led the parade from Lakeside Boulevard to Riverstyx Road, past the municipal building, then proceeding onto Hopatchung Road, and finally concluding at Modick Park.

He's probably the youngest in the parade," Edda Bryant said about her newborn son, Crosby, born on October 1.

The three-week old slept silently, bundled up in the carrier portion of his stroller, wearing a bear hat, and, unaffected by the screech of the sirens by the six Hopatcong Fire Department trucks flanking the end of the parade.

There were youth of all ages, dressed in a bevy of costumes, some totally original.

A pair of large white dice walked together in the parade.

Deja Blunt, age 10, dressed up and hid within a shower, with a striped curtain wrapped around her, inspired by Ralph Macchio's costume in the original "Karate Kid" film.

Another original costume was a red velvet kissing booth, with Alyia Puluse, age 10, hiding inside her costume like Blunt, but instead, dressed as a "vampiress." Dangling around the booth, were small bags of fake blood, and, Puluse sported fangs, white makeup, and, red blood droplets painted on her face.

"She wanted to do something scary, this is her first year doing something scary," said her mother, Joyce, who crafted the costume.

Even the four-legged participants were dressed for the occasion, most of them sporting t-shirts, and, even Sully, one of the dogs, with his fur in a colored, and slightly spiked Mohawk style. His owner, Marlee Carrasquillo, a hair stylist, said she changes Sully’s hair color each year on Halloween.

Residents enjoyed the afternoon in the park, a visit to the vendors who were there (including face painting, Ultimate Images Studio and The Little Cake Bakehouse), and the costume contest.