One of the many things we love about living here is the annual parade of costumes strolling “Altered” State Street. We try to walk and/or drive the street chatting with people and snapping pix like these. This year we were joined by dear friend Di. Hope you enjoy them too. 🙂
5429 Radiation Survivor & Deer
One of the simplest costumes was this sweet deer whom we first mistook for a rabbit due to the ears. We gave up guessing about her friend in the beautiful burgundy coat, and when we finally asked she gave a very complex description. As I recall she’s a radiation survivor who grew antlers and wears antique clothing.
5458 Dahlia, Krueger & Friends
This happy family had clearly invested much thought and effort into their costumes, starting with the Black Dahlia who told us a little about her character. Freddy Krueger stood smiling behind her and the whole family was so ebulliently happy we smiled despite the dark themes. The very essence of Halloween perhaps.
5467 Party Bound?
Some of the people out promenading the scene were probably headed for or perhaps returning from parties, like this happy couple.
5430 Serious Devil
This young girl may have been the most serious child we saw, so involved in her character we felt a slight chill.
5427 Happy Family
Because we go early there are lots of families going store to store for treats, so it makes for a warm and happy time. Sometimes we stay or return late, and it’s quite a different scene – especially in the three-block bar district on lower State. This year we had to rush back and greet the young grand-daughters of a friend so we moved pretty quickly. Still, we three had time to stop and chat with people.
5440 Rest Break
This tired family had cozied up to rest on a bench, so we paused for a few words.
5434 Costume Cafe
Another group had stopped for refreshment in a coffee shop, and when they saw the camera their faces beamed sweetly for me.
5459 Girl’s Night
It wasn’t just families of course, so we saw young at heart of all ages including some much older than we. This pair had a comfortable closeness.
5452 First Halloween
The young kids like this just melted our hearts, and the proud “scarecrow” Dad’s smile warmed the night.
5449 Red Rat Exec
We didn’t get the story on this outfit, so I came up with the idea of a smiling businessman of the Rattus genus. [We’ve since been informed by our favorite Canadian that this headdress represents the deadmau5 (“Deadmouse”) leet icon of performer Joel Zimmerman.]
5423 Baby Raccoon
This procyonid baby in contrast, is so cute we could barely contain ourselves. 🙂
5424 Sweet Serenity
There was a calm demeanor radiating from this trio that we enjoyed, and the poise with which the blue girl holds her princess dress didn’t waver as she strolled.
5448 Enigmatic Dancer
After passing this wandering solo dancer with quiet indigeonous music emanating from somewhere inside the costume, we talked for a while about what it might represent. Like many of the characters we saw, the ubiquitous cellphone in one hand was a talisman of our time.
5472 Waiting
Finally, here’s a moment I like that captures the origin of the Waiter job title. Hope you had a Happy Halloween!
John & Anne Wiley 
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