Pumpkin Palooza draws a crowd

“Hocus Pocus” fans were in for a treat Saturday at Pumpkin Palooza in downtown Lewiston.

Three Clarkston sisters dressed as the Halloween movie characters cheerfully passed out candy, posed for pictures and enjoyed the reaction from folks who admired their handmade witch costumes and flashbacked to the film about the Sanderson siblings.

“Our dad died in 2015, and this was his favorite movie,” said 42-year-old Jessica McKee. “Our mom made our costumes the next year, and we’ve been doing this ever since. It’s a fun way to honor his memory.”

In addition to the witches, Barbies, bananas and ballerinas were on display among the hundreds of trick-or-treaters at the Beautiful Downtown Lewiston event. Some kids chose frightening costumes, while others opted for action heroes or Disney princesses.

Many adults joined the festivities with creative getups, colorful wigs and elaborate makeup. A pumpkin roll, a variety of vendors and a bouncy house were popular draws on the sunny day.

Near a bakery, Samantha McKee, 35, and Janet Lear, 47, assisted their sister with the “Hocus Pocus” treats. They will resume their roles Tuesday night with an 8-foot cauldron that produces cotton candy. Youngest sister, Donelle McKee, 31, hosts the Halloween tradition at her Lewiston home from 4:3-8:30 p.m. on the 3700 block of 17th Street.

“Our family had a fireworks stand for 15 years, and we always had cotton candy there, so we still have a commercial machine,” Jessica McKee said. “It goes perfectly with the cauldron. We just love doing this, and we try not to be scary. The kids have a good time, and so do we.”

As younger witches clamored for their attention, the sisters quickly shifted back into their Sanderson characters.

“We ate before we came, so we’re not even hungry,” Jessica McKee said with a friendly cackle. “Welcome to our club.”

Bowls of candy, stickers and other treats were going fast at the booths lining the street. Dancers took over Brackenbury Square for performances, and pumpkins were toppling down Fifth Avenue to benefit a nonprofit organization.

Eden Afana, 7, of Lewiston, successfully steered her gourd into the slot at the bottom of the hay-lined hill. Everyone who accomplished the feat was then entered in a drawing for $300.

“I felt really excited when it went in,” she said. “I kept jumping up and down. Then I found out my name goes in a raffle to win the $300. I don’t even know what a raffle is.”

Numerous dogs joined the fun for a “spooky pooch show,” including a bernedoodle dressed as a University of Oregon Ducks fan.

Kora Jones, an 8-year-old Clarkston girl, was sporting one of the popular inflatable costumes. It didn’t have a name, so her father improvised. Kora was an “alien abduction,” he said.

Blayne Sharp, 10, of Clarkston, was decked out as a scary “Chucky” doll.

“I like coming to this,” he said. “I can see all of the cool costumes here. Oh, there’s my favorite — a mini Michael Myers.”

Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com.