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Fa-boo-lous night for Traer’s annual Halloween costume contest

A tiny tot decked out in skeleton spookery waits patiently on Oct. 31 for the Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Contest to begin. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A young girl stands waiting in the Traer Memorial Building on Oct. 31 for the annual Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Contest to begin. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A young ‘Cruella De Vil’ clasps her hands in anticipation of the annual Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Contest beginning on Oct. 31. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Saylor Stacker sits on the stage in the Traer Memorial Building during the judging of the birth to two-year-olds age group as part of the annual Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Contest on Oct. 31. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Paxton Hemenway (right) looks to a caregiver during the judging of the birth to two-year-olds age group as part of the annual Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Contest on Oct. 31. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A trio of jeweled and ‘tulled’ three- and four-year-olds smile while looking at the audience during the judging of the annual Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Contest on Oct. 31. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
The five- to six-year-olds age group stands on stage on Oct. 31 in the Traer Memorial Building during the annual costume contest judging. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Stella Halstead (center) smiles to the audience during the judging of the annual Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Contest on Oct. 31. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A pair of young boys dressed up as North Tama Volleyball players headed to the 2022 state tournament – in long wigs and sporting knee pads – competes in the annual Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Contest on Oct. 31. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Hunter Kalinay (right) smiles for Amy Eikamp’s camera after winning Most Original costume in the three- to four-year-olds age group in the annual Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Contest on Oct. 31. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Tate Popelka grins while having his photo taken after winning Best Costume in the nine- to 10-year-olds age group for his portrayal of golfer John Daly. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

With the sun beaming brightly and temperatures hovering in the upper-60s, more than 80 participants from babies in caregivers’ arms to those in sixth grade and every age in between dressed up in their spookiest or most creative ensembles to compete in the annual Traer Chamber of Commerce Halloween Costume Contest this past Monday afternoon at the Memorial Building.

As in years past, registration for the contest began as soon as North Tama Schools released for the day with judging taking place at 4:00 p.m.

After roughly a half-hour of organized, joyful chaos, 12 awards were handed out including Best Costume and Most Original across six different age groups.

Winners this year included Dean Harrison-Best Costume and Archie Combs-Most Original in the birth to age two-year-olds group; Lake Rohlfsen-Best Costume and Hunter Kalinay-Most Original in the three- to four-year-olds group; Grayson Mennenga-Best Costume and Keeley Docekal-Most Original in the five- to six-year-olds group; Raylynn Cooper-Most Original and Stella Halstead-Best Costume in the seven- to eight-year-olds group; Tate Popelka and Ashley Hemenway-tied for Best Costume, and Meyer Wilson-Most Original in the nine- to 10-year-olds group; Kinsley Svoboda-Best Costume and Britton Blaine-Most Original in the 11- to 12-year-olds group.

Following the awards, the children quickly exited the building with their caregivers to the beautiful autumn day awaiting them outside before excitedly venturing off down the street to participate in Trick-or-Treat Main Street.