Retro Halloween Schooling & Parading

Image October 31, 2024 Elaine Van Develde

Halloween parading in Sickles School in Fair Haven in the 1980s
Photo/Kathy Robbins

So, a karate kid, a baseball player, a cop, two witches, a vampire and a boxer walk onto a school stage …

That means only one thing. It’s Halloween and it’s school pageant time — or whatever they call it. Yes, it’s that time when all the little guys and ghouls in school get dressed up and parade through the classroom, down the hall and into the auditorium for a spooky show of Halloween spirit.

And, back in the 1980s, it was a hit parade at Sickles School in Fair Haven. In the ’80s, the most popular costumes were Smurfs, Incredible Hulk (remember that green guy?), Strawberry Shortcake and Star Wars characters. Not a one of those in this bunch, except for a Smurf in the “before” classroom shot. Nonetheless, a ghastly ghostly bunch of a class act kids did the school proud with their Halloween get-ups and gusto.

You’ve been there. The dress-up prep happens at home — we hope. Then there’s the costumed trek to school. Yes, back in the day in the 1.6-square-mile borough, car (or SUV) drop-offs were unheard of. There was partnering up and walking or riding bikes. And there was the struggle, too, of walking with those horror shows of plastic masks that cut your eyes and poisoned you with your own sweat and breath. Never mind the fact that you couldn’t see out of the wretched things. But, hey, anything for Halloween. Yeah, we made it through — all in the spirit of things.

Then there’s the ghoul gathering in the classroom, refereed by very patient teachers. And there were parents rallying with treats. Sometimes, there was a parent (ahem, this one in the ’90s) who did a professional make-up presentation and arrived with a bowl of blood that the kids grasped for more than the cupcakes. Who knew?

But, the coup de gras was the circular parade in the auditorium and onto the stage. And, there you had it — Halloween hoopla of the school kid kind!

So, cheers to Halloweening in school! Go get ’em paraders! Your favorite kid Halloween costume?