Rain dampens 2023’s Halloween Costume Contest in CWE

Unfortunately, 2023’s Halloween Adult Costume Contest was a rainout, though the show did go on in an abbreviated fashion. Co-producer Dennis Gorg said this was the 2nd time in the 20 years he’s been involved in the “CWE’s Legendary Halloween Costume Contest” that the event was cancelled due to rain. That previous cancellation was in 2019, and organizers adapted to that rainout as well (see post here).

This led me to wonder when the tradition started, so I contacted former Mayor Vince Schoemehl for advice— he was in office at the time.  “My recollection is it would’ve been 1982-ish and, yes, Kim Tucci organized it (he arranged for a stage from the Parks Dept.), and some guy climbed an electric/telephone pole and was swaying back-and-forth and I got on the microphone/speaker system and told him to get down. My recollection is I used some colorful language, but I can’t remember exactly what I said. It was a great show and the beginning of a great tradition.” Note: Some of us who were there do remember what the mayor said, and yes, it was quite “colorful.”

The organizers decided that the show would nevertheless go on in modified form. Dance music started, and bars set up by local establishments (AC Marriott, Brennan’s, Drunken Fish, Edera, El Burro Loco, Kingside Diner, Maryland House, Twisted Ranch and UpDown) served beverages for those who stayed to party, see photos that follow:

A fire juggler entertained the crowd in front of the Main Stage.

The organizers also found a work-around for the costume contest. Contestants had put a lot of effort into their costumes, paid an entry fee, and there was prize money to be awarded. So all the contestants were photographed behind the stage by Dan Donovan, and the winners were chosen by the judges from the photographs. (2023’s Costume Contest winners are shown at the end of this post.)

Of course, the IT couple of the year, Barbie and Ken, were there.

 

Photos, courtesy of Dan Donovan. of the top 3 contest winners are shown below.

1st Place – Zombie Iron Man, who won $2500.

2nd Place – Zombie Ronald McDonald & Wendy’s Girl, who won $1000.

3rd Place – Guts from Berserk, who won $500.

4th through 10th prize winners were awarded $200 in CWE Gift Cards. They include: Zombie Bride and Groom, The Ragnorok Hulk, Windego (photographed above), Jeepers Creepers, Bloody Mary, Marie Antoinette-Queen of France (photographed above(, and Rosemary’s Baby.

This concludes my overview of 2023’s Halloween in the CWE.  There are many people to thank for the daylong festivities, including Kate Haher, executive director of the CWE North Community Improvement District, and co-producers Frances Thompson and Dennis Gorg. Thanks also to Gold Sponsor Urban Chestnut and Community Partners Busey Bank, Brake Landscaping & Lawncare, Johnnie Brock’s Dungeon Party Warehouse, Maestro Dobel Tequila, and Pendleton Whisky.

With appreciation also to all those who came out on a chilly day and rainy evening to participate in the events. Even with the cancellation of the usually rambuctious festivities Saturday evening , the crowd was mellow and seemed to have a good time despite the weather and change of plans.