Halloween Parade 2023

Halloween parade 2023 - Grim Reaper and scary bride

Halloween Parade 2023

Creative costume photos.

Scary costume photos.

Huge Ashland parade crowd this year.

Published Nov 2, 2023.


The family that plays together …

Halloween parade 2023 - family and friends and carriage
This custom made carriage and costumed crew was the highlight of the parade for me. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023

This was my favorite family and friends group in the parade. I spoke with “mom” Karen. The human names of these characters, from left to right, are: Roxanne Platt, Bill Caldwell, Michael Platt, Karen Platt and LeeAnn Caldwell. The Platt family live in Ashland and love to go all-out for Halloween. The carriage was custom made by their friend Bill, who lives with his wife LeeAnn in the San Francisco Bay Area. He designed the carriage to be disassembled into small parts for travel, then reassembled here in Ashland.

Halloween parade 2023 - Three scary brides.
Who would marry these three scary “brides?” (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - Super hero family.
This Super Hero family is here “to save the day.” (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - Princess Leia and Darth Vader.
Has Princess Leia gone to the dark side? (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - Harry Potter family
Harry Potter and his family came to Ashland’s Halloween parade this year. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Unusual (to me) characters

Halloween parade 2023 - Arcturian.
Gene Tresenfeld came from the star Arcturus to uplift humanity. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - Keegan Van Hook with quite a head on his shoulders.
Keegan Van Hook went incognito with this eerie look. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - double-take.
Every time I noticed this green creature carrying this young human, I did a double-take. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

I need help with these …

Halloween parade 2023 - Jackie Kennedy and friend?
Could this be Jackie Kennedy and friend in Ashland’s Halloween parade? (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - four fantasy characters
The costumes and masks of these four characters are outstanding. Added Note: David Intersimone told me this is the Nick and Barbara Tennant family and a friend.
(photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - a spider and a ?
Help me out, please. I see a spider and a ??? (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023) ADDED NOTE: A reader named Adams informed me that the white costume represents a medieval bubonic plague doctor. The long mask was thought to protect the doctor from the poisons that might cause the plague.
Halloween parade 2023 - imposing creature.
This huge, scary creature was led down the street by two young cheerleaders. I don’t get it, either. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023) ADDED NOTE: A reader named Adams informed me this creature is a Landrider from the Dark Crystal movie and series, and the cheerleaders represent the young people who befriend them.

More and more

Halloween parade 2023 - Middle School and High School band members played.
Some of the Ashland Middle School and Ashland High School band members brought their music to the 2023 Halloween parade. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - dogs got dressed up too.
I saw many costumed dogs. This is my only dog photo. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - 1929 statue plus costumes.
Something about this scene appealed to me. We have the 1912 Ashland Library building, the 1929 Mickelson-Chapman statue and the 2023 Halloween revelers. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Halloween parade 2023 - man with wizard staff
Beautiful wooden staff, leather mask and flowing cape all look too “real” to be a “costume.” (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

The end of the tale (or — the “tail end”)

Halloween parade 2023 - three tails
“Three tails” — I think that says it all for this photo. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

CLICK HERE to see my previous Halloween costumes photo essay.

5 Comments
  • John Richards
    Posted at 09:31h, 03 November Reply

    You have a good eye, Peter!

  • Lori Conners
    Posted at 01:52h, 03 November Reply

    Love seeing the Halloween parade photos Peter! Thanks for the essay

  • Adams
    Posted at 00:50h, 03 November Reply

    Huge scary creature lead by two cheerleaders was a landstrider from the dark crystal series/movie.. sort of a Henson muppet.

    The ??? was a physician from medieval era — the mask and robe was supposed to ward off the black plague.. they thought it was transmitted by evil vapors.. hence the long nose on the mask.

    • Peter Finkle
      Posted at 15:35h, 03 November Reply

      Thank you for adding to my knowledge of the Halloween costumes. I will update the photo essay with your tips.
      Peter

  • Sharon laskos
    Posted at 17:07h, 02 November Reply

    Thanks Peter! Almost like being there.

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