MATTAPOISETT — As darkness fell upon Mattapoisett on Thursday, Oct. 31, a costumed crowd ambled through the town village to the beat of a drum and the sounds of sirens. 

Led by a flashing police ATV and a drummer, the town’s annual Halloween parade began by Center School. As the procession turned by town hall to the wharf, the sun across the water set into a shade of orange fit for a pumpkin.

A roughly 8-foot-tall white wizard of sorts stood at a sidewalk corner, terrifying some passersby, as the parade returned to the school. 

“Do you want a cookie?” one brave young pedestrian asked the imposing figure, who carried a lighted staff. “I’ll give you a cookie.”

After the parade, the Mattapoisett Police Department held a costume contest in which Halloween-goers of all ages presented their outfits and were judged by officers. Winners won prizes.

The wizard placed second in the “scariest costume” category, bested only by Pennywise the clown of Stephen King’s “It.” There was no “tallest costume” category.

For the full list of winning costumes, see below:

Preschool and kindergarten:

1. Donuts
2. Airplane
3. Transformer

First and second grade:

1. Inspector Gadget
2. Flower pot
3. Bubble gum

Third and fourth grade:

1. Candle
2. Port-a-potty
3. Headless doctor

Fifth and sixth grade:

1. The Flintstones
2. A box of Wheaties
3. The Mandalorian

Junior high:

1. Peacock
2. Princess
3. Grim reaper

High school:

1. The mayor
2. Green monster
3. Maverick from “Top Gun”

Adults:

1. Witches
2. Carmen Miranda/fruit lady
3. Rollerbladers

Scariest:

1. Pennywise the clown
2. Wizard
3. “Burned at the stake” costume