Punta Gorda Halloween in the Historic District -- in Flickering Images

The skies cleared last night just in time for ghosts, goblins and other assorted creatures to take to the streets of Punta Gorda's historic district.  Thousands of children accompanied by costumed parents wandered the area in search of goodies.   The Baptist church lured many a ghoulish monster or Disney princess and even a dressed up hound or too with hot dogs.   The local Kiwanis lit up the children in the dark streets with glow lights, and the Masons continued Gilchrist's tradition of giving out free ice cream in the park given his name to children and children at heart.

In the tradition of Punta Gorda's Victorian area, many of the residents created themed walkways in their gardens including the Wizard of Oz with the Wizard himself handing out candy to the kids, and Alice in Wonderland with a table set for guests including Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.  Here in flickering images is a collage that attempts to give you an idea of what  the night was like: