BooHaHa draws crowd to Brookside
BY KENDRICK MARSHALL World Staff Writer
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Tulsa-area children and adults masquerading as superheroes, princesses and monsters were able to get some of their trick-or-treating out of the way early on Sunday.
Hundreds filled the streets of Brookside to take part in the annual pre-Halloween celebration that began with costume contests and festivals and ended with the popular Boo HaHa parade.
Sponsored by the Brookside Business Association, the 22nd installment of the event drew newcomers and veteran participants, like 36-year-old Martin Anaya and his family.
“We come here every year to bring the kids,” Anaya said, who was flanked by his dog Builder and four young children. “The parade is fun. We get to experience different parts of Tulsa.”
Brookside Business Association President Jim Moss said the date of the parade was changed from Saturday to Sunday because of feedback from businesses and restaurants.
Multiple businesses and even churches took advantage of the day to provide treats, snacks and other items to patrons.
A healthy line of little ghosts and goblins were stationed around Traci Gowens’ table just outside Mazzio’s Italian Eatery along the Peoria Avenue parade route as she offered free candy.
“This is a tradition,” Gowens said, who received assistance from her three children — Austin, 9. Alyssa, 10 and Regan, 5.
But the main attraction of the day was a parade that featured pink emergency vehicles, participants sprinting across both sides of Peoria Avenue to passing out candy to eager children, along with the marching bands and even a bike stunt display by BMX Sand Springs.
The interaction with the public is a valuable part of the event, Gowens said.
“This is a time when all people can come together,” she said.
Associated Images:
Hayden Branham (center) holds out his candy bag as his cousin Olive Branham (left) and mother Melanie Branham (right) take in the sights Sunday at the BooHaHa Halloween parade in Tulsa's Brookside neighborhood. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
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