Thousands of spectators gathered at the MainStage at Euclid & Maryland to welcome the return of the Spectacular CWE Adult Costume Contest on Saturday, October 30. The event began at 9 p.m. and ended following a street party at midnight.
The festivities were funded and produced by the CWE North Community Improvement District led by Executive Director Kate Haher. Others who contributed to the tremendous success were veteran producers Dennis Gorg and Frances Thompson. Emcees were Trish Bush and Jeremy Corray, who have headlined the event for several years.
Sponsors included Johnnie Brock’s Dungeon, Busey Bank, MAC Properties, 28th Ward Alderwoman Heather Navarro and the Riverfront Times.
Technicians are shown backstage as they survey the scene and coordinate lighting and music for each contestant. An added feature of this year’s event was a large screen on the stage that allowed spectators at the back of the crowd to see the contestants as they paraded down the runway. 
In a photo of the screen above, Emcee Jeremy Corray is shown speaking to the crowd.
28th Ward Alderwoman Heather Navarro awaits her cue to welcome the crowd back to the Central West End. 
Some of the nearly 60 entrants who competed in the costume contest are shown backstage, above and several photos below.
Judges included Jim Espy, far left, KSDK’s Casey Nolan & Abby Llorico (somewhere in that photo), Riverfront Times’ Olia Friedricks, and Johnnie Brock’s Dungeon proprietors Mary Beth & Ed Brock (in Santa costumes).
An unsuspecting spectator who was randomly selected from the crowd and awarded a special prize of a $1000 gift certificate to Johnnie Brock’s Dungeon for his elegant costume was thrilled. He said he is a frequent customer and could put the award to good use.
Next up: More from the runway