| | Published November 1st, 2017
| Tiny tots trick-or-treat at Orinda park
| | | By Cathy Dausman |  | | Photos Cathy Dausman |
Mickey and Minnie Mouse, a cowboy, fresh fruit, animals, a skeleton, Harry Potter and firemen, super heroes galore and a castle full of princesses turned out for the Orinda Halloween Parade for Tots Oct. 26 and stayed for snacks and a meet-and-greet with real Orinda police and firefighters at the Orinda Community Park.
The parade is a long-running and much beloved Orinda tradition, attracting between 75 and 100 toddlers, says Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Weiss. The event originated years ago through the now defunct Orinda Community Center Auxiliary, and is held each year, rain or shine (rain moves the parade indoors).
Participants with adults in tow toddled after Glinda the Good Witch (Weiss in a dress of pink chiffon, topped with a silver crown) as she looped the length of the park pathway, stopping to greet Chewbacca (Jackson Stearns) and pumpkin Josh Hays, both of whom offered treats to Glinda's entourage.
Then they did it again.
The highlight for Dean Bennett, 3, of Orinda was meeting real police and fireman, says mom Lauren Geeves. In his own fire costume, Dean was a natural posing on the Moraga-Orinda Fire District truck with MOFD Engineer-Paramedic Jon Ford and Capt.-Paramedic Mike Lacy.
"Orinda sure makes it fun and easy for the little ones to get dressed up and have a good time," Geeves said, adding that although this was Dean's first parade, "he will be back!"
A friendly inflatable Frankenstein proved a popular photo backdrop after the tots finished their crafts and noshed on cupcakes washed down with apple juice. "The families love the small-town city sponsored event," Weiss said.
The tots wore the costumes, but the parents and caregivers were covered in smiles.
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 | | Participants in the Orinda Halloween parade for tots scoop up surprises from pumpkin Josh Hays. |  | | Nanny Tina Schumacher is all smiles with Thomas (banana) and William. Photos Cathy Dausman |  | | Dean Bennett, 3, of Orinda sits with MOFD Engineer-Paramedic Jon Ford, left, and Capt.-Paramedic Mike Lacy, right. | | | | | | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA