‘Enjoyable and funky’: Ashland celebrates Halloween with annual downtown parade – Ashland Information

Thousands categorical themselves by being anyone — or one thing — else in collective expression of individuality

By Meg Wade for Ashland.information

Thousands of residents from throughout the Rogue Valley gaily garbed as ghosts, goblins, ghouls and diverse spectres, together with a casting director’s wildest dream of varied cultural characters, packed downtown Ashland for the annual Halloween parade Friday afternoon. 

While the official begin time was set for 3:45 p.m. in entrance of the Ashland Public Library, revelers had been making their approach up and down Main Street lengthy earlier than, looking for buddies, taking footage, and exhibiting off their costumes.

The parade has been held for a number of a long time. Officially generally known as the Ashland Chamber’s Children’s Halloween Celebration, the occasion attracts all ages, with as many adults in costume as youngsters.

That included dozens of members of Audrey Flint’s “We Keep Dancing” lessons for these 55 and older, who got here collectively in neon pink and inexperienced wigs to bop their approach down Main Street to “Monster Mash.”

Some Ashlanders have grown up going to the parade their complete life. 

“I think this is my 25th Halloween parade,” stated Grace Johnson, dressed as Emily Elizabeth from the “Clifford” e book sequence, subsequent to Ben Fakler as Clifford. “It’s just part of the tradition, and a way to connect with the community.” 

Others had been attending for the primary time, equivalent to Gale Canutt, a current faculty graduate who simply moved to Talent. Canutt was dressed as a death’s-head hawkmoth, a dressing up they made as a ultimate mission for a dressing up design course.

“Halloween is my favorite holiday and the first time I’ve lived in a town where there’s lots going on — I’m from a small farming town — so this is my dream,” Canutt shared.

“I love it! This is the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” stated Lucia, one other first-timer, who stated she had simply moved to Ashland and was working at Ashland Greenhouses. “I love Halloween, I love community events, and my boss let me close the store an hour early so I could make it on time.”

Many households confirmed up with a shared theme. Robyn of Ashland, dressed as Poison Ivy, was out together with her kids Ares and Ky, ages 5 and 6, who teamed up as Batman and Superman.

Luca and Oliver, brothers and college students at Willow Wind Community Learning Center, had been dressed as Indiana Jones and the boulder from which he escapes within the opening scene of “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” They had been joined by their father, Sean, wearing tweed and carrying a chalice as Henry Jones, Sr. in “The Last Crusade.” 

Other households had been extra targeted on simply being out collectively. Jose, on the parade along with his three kids, couldn’t keep in mind the identify of the cartoon character his son Jose Jr., age 10, had advised for him, which concerned a fuzzy aqua blue go well with with purple spots. “I try to be here because they enjoy being in the parade,” he stated, “and we do everything for them.” 

The many one-of-a-kind costumes might have drawn particular consideration, however there have been a lot of classics to be discovered, each new and outdated.

Erica Thompson and buddy Lena Morris had been each dressed as witches; Morris in traditional black, Thompson with a “hippie” variation that featured brighter colours and bell bottoms.

Multiple variations of Bob Ross had been noticed, some with brushes and an artist’s palette, and a minimum of one with a full easel. 

There had been sufficient Waldo costumes that Ashland residents Dave and Harold had been taking part in “Where’s Waldo” whereas sitting subsequent to the bus cease by the Ashland Plaza.

“We’ve seen 12 different Waldos,” stated Dave.

Other costumes had been much less recognizable, and never all turned out fairly as supposed. 

“My wife wanted me to be a potato,” stated Alex of Ashland, pointing to the spherical, cardboard center on his torso. “Then we were trying to figure out what else it could be.” The finish consequence included a cardboard masks and sword, and he dubbed himself a “cardboard gladiator.” 

“But the helmet kind of looks like a turban,” he stated. “So I’m not sure.”

The occasion introduced out the city’s photographers. Some perched on prime of lampposts and benches with mobile phone cameras, and others wandered by the group catching candids with extra skilled lenses.

“I love it, it’s so fun and funky,” stated Paz, a customer from Los Angeles who got here to the parade to take images.

Nick Walker of Ashland stated he was simply sitting at house when he noticed folks going by and thought, “I should grab my camera.” 

Walker stated he targeted on capturing images of “spontaneous moments of joy,” and that there had been loads of such moments on the parade.

“The level of spirit in this town,” he stated, “and the number of people coming out is really special, and unexpectedly delightful.”

Others had been simply joyful to observe, digital camera or no.

“It’s just cool seeing the diversity,” stated Staci, a scholar at Southern Oregon University. “It’s the one day of the year everyone feels comfortable being themselves.”

Email Ashland resident and freelance journalist Meg Wade at [email protected].