Retro Gaggle of ’80s Kindergarten Ghouls — Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect

It’s elementary — the school and the Halloween spirit.

In this case, back in 1982, it was actually a Fair Haven kindergarten Halloween fest at Sportsman’s Field, across from Knollwood School.

It’s hard to say which was the most popular costume for this class act of that year. This is, indeed, an eclectic bunch of masked, and unmasked, marauders of the kid kind. The most popular costume of that year was E.T.. Yet, there’s not an extraterrestrial in the bunch. We spy a Smurf, and old-fashioned nurse, Little Red Riding Hood (or her close relation), a masked princess, a Batman of the packaged costume variety, a creepy Strawberry Shortcake (yeah, that’s downright creepy), pirates and we’re not sure what else, except for the Village People construction guy and cowboy in the front.

Let’s not forget the adult leader of the kindergarten pack here. That would be the towering clown. No clowning around. That’s some scary class leadership there — enough to give small children nightmares. But, they’re unfazed. Let’s face it, their costumes were a bit more scary, especially those old plastic masked ones with the singular blank scare stare.

No doubt that dressing up and parading and posing in some way for the day was a big deal back then. Still is, but it’s somehow more mild. Call us creepy fest fans. And the kids? They likely still remember that first costumed experience of many ahead in Fair Haven schools and then RFH. It’s made a mark on them and those who saw it.

Scared o’ that? Yes. But, we’re more scared that the time has flown by so quickly. This pic was taken 41 years ago.

What decade was your favorite in which to costume yourself for Halloween? And where’s E.T.?

— Photo/Sue Jones