Entering the land of make-believe
Tim Willert
There were enough superheroes to save a city the size of Burbank,
enough firefighters to help finish off those persistent wildfires.
Of course, Friday morning’s Halloween parade at Jefferson
Elementary School also featured plenty of witches, princesses,
football players and pirates.
The annual costume parade drew hundreds of parents, most of whom
were toting cameras and jockeying for position as their little ones
paraded around the playground to the sounds of “Monster Mash.”
“It’s been a tradition here for many, many years,” said Principal
Lynn Perske, wearing a clown costume complete with a big red nose.
“The parents love it and the kids love it. It’s one of our fun
times.”
Carlie Stewart, 6, a student in Debby Demyanek’s first- grade
class, came dressed as Hermione Granger, a character from the Harry
Potter books.
When asked why, Carlie said matter-of-factly: “I have the hair for
her.”
Fourth-grader Teddy DaVilla looked pretty imposing dressed as a
football player. Inside his costume was a tiny fan that blew up Teddy
to more than twice his size.
“My mom made me [get it],” Teddy said. “But I’m OK with it.”
Even the teachers got into the act, dressing up as everything from
cheerleaders and witches to motocross riders and Minnie Mouse.
Martha Stoffers, dressed as a gypsy, watched over 31
fourth-graders. She also put Oct. 31 in perspective.
“It’s Halloween,” Stoffers said. “The sugar’s already running
through [the kids], the day’s already shot. We know that.”
After watching her brother march in the parade for the past three
years, 5-year-old Zoie Telkamp -- wearing a pink poodle skirt, pink
sunglasses and a pink bow in her hair and carrying a white poodle
purse -- got to strut her stuff for the first time.
“She’s so excited,” said Geni Telkamp, Zoie’s mother. “She can’t
believe she finally gets to be in the parade.”