It was a good-ole’ fashioned Halloween over the weekend

ITALY – Saturday night in Italy, Texas. Halloween!

I have only one time in my life – passed out candy to trick or treaters.

Most years for the past 25, I have been in another country – some destinations where Halloween is not even celebrated.

Last year, I went to my friend’s home in Italy (It’ly for those who are not sure how to pronounce this quaint little town), but I left before the hundreds of little ghosts and goblins arrived.

This year, my friend Andrea Pylant urged me to stay and watch the parade of parents and children.

“I bought about $200 worth of candy this year,” Pylant said.

When it was all said and done, the candy was gone – and the children that had paraded up and down the several streets of the city were probably already home with a tummy ache.

Children began to arrive at the homes on Pylant’s block around 5 p.m., and there was a steady stream until around 9 p.m.

From Star Wars characters, to superheroes, to ghosts and goblins and murderous clowns – all were represented.

One entire family dressed up, and the small child (under one) was dressed up like a hot pepper.

As for me, I kept getting visions of movie sets where small towns were having trick or treating scenes.

Everyone knew everyone else in Italy – just like in the scenes of Halloween from the movie “ET” and “Hocus Pocus” (movies we were playing on television Saturday.

All were having a great time, and I could not stop smiling Saturday night.

In Italy, the new police chief drove up and down the street as part of the festivities as well and a few other police vehicles too.

A crazy clown drove a four-wheeler up and down the street with children along for the ride, and there were trucks pulling trailers with children in costumes waving and running to each house for more candy.

In the city of Wilmer, the celebration started on Friday afternoon with a Covid-safe Halloween drive-thru event in the city square.

It was a great turnout for the Friday event as the Fall festival season began.

City staff said it was greatly attended as children and adults came out in superhero costumes, princess outfits, skeletons and even ballerinas. An oversized dinosaur was also front and center in Wilmer that day saying hello and encouraging big smiles.