Wall Halloween costume contest a scary good time

Ryan Valente [from left], 10; Robbie, 10, and Sofia Brugnoli, 6; and Amelia Vitale, 13, all enjoyed a hayride after participating in Wall Recreation’s 2009 Halloween Costume Contest. Both Ryan and Sofia won prizes for having the scariest costumes. Photo courtesy MICHELLE BRUGNOLI

The Wall Recreation Department recently held its 2009 Halloween Costume Contest, which was open to all township residents. The contest was held in the Wall Intermediate School gymnasium last week.

All of the children who participated received goody bags, and after the contest, participants were treated to a hayride.

Ed Grill, the recreation coordinator, and Kathy Martone, the assistant recreation coordinator, both said the event was a success.

“The kids looked adorable in their costumes,” Mr. Grill said. He added there were almost 100 people in attendance, and said the event has grown since last year.

Michelle Brugnoli, a Wall Township resident, went to the contest with her two children and two friends.

“We go every year,” Mrs. Brugnoli said, adding her family has lived in Wall Township for three years now. She brought her son, Robbie, 10; her daughter, Sofia, 6; Ryan Valente, 10; and Amelia Vitale, 13.

Ryan went dressed as a boxer, and Amelia masqueraded as Michael Jackson. Robbie and Sofia, Mrs. Brugnoli said, like the more gruesome side of Halloween costumes. Sofia dressed as a dead bride, and Robbie dressed as a burn victim. “He was telling everybody not to play with matches near a gas tank,” she said.

Both Robbie and Sofia were rewarded for their love of good-natured Halloween gore. They each took home prizes for the “scariest” costumes — Sofia in the first and second grade category, and Robbie in the third, fourth and fifth grade category.

“It’s always really nice,” she said of the evening. Her favorite part is “definitely the costume contest. The kids are so cute, especially the little ones. Just seeing the kids is so adorable — they’re so excited.”

Mr. Grill, Ms. Martone and Wall Township Committeeman Jeffrey Foster acted as judges during the costume contest.

“I was very proud to be a judge,” Committeeman Foster said. “There were a lot of kids, a lot of great ideas and a lot of creativity,” he explained.

Committeeman Foster said all of the great ideas made it very difficult to judge the contest and pick winners, but the judges did make difficult choices and emerged with a group of winners.

Costume contest participants were awarded in the categories of scariest costume, prettiest costume, funniest costume and most original costume. The age groups were broken down into preschoolers, kindergartners, first and second graders, and third, fourth and fifth graders.

The preschool winners of the contest were Shannon Kennedy, 4, scariest; Alissa Chesna, 2, prettiest; James Doster, 3, funniest; and Brook Halbe, 3, most original.

The kindergarten winners of the contest were Thomas Lawrence, 5, scariest; Kayle Thomas, 5, prettiest; Michael Gammer, 5, funniest; and Mary Bryant, 5, most original.

The first and second grade winners were Sofia Burgnoli, 6, scariest; Amanda Mechlinski, 7, prettiest; Aubrey Chesna, 6, funniest; and Gianna Georgio, 7, most original.

The third, fourth and fifth grade winners were Robbie Burgnoli, 10, scariest; Nicole Ayers-Pallay, 9, prettiest; Brenna Arey, 10, funniest; and Austin Havens, 11, most original.

“Ed Grill and Kathy Martone did a fantastic job arranging everything,” Committeeman Foster said. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have half the things [Recreation Department activities] we do. They’re very good planners.”

Mr. Grill said anyone who did not have the chance to attend the costume contest this year, or anyone who wants to participate again, will “definitely” have their chance.

The successful costume contest will return again next year in time for Halloween.