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Ghosts and goblins make for thrilling Monster Mash on Market Street

Jennifer Randolph, of Little Hocking, attended Saturday’s Monster Mash on Market as La Muerte from the “Book of Life.” (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

PARKERSBURG — Assorted ghosts and goblins, comic characters and superheroes were out in force Saturday evening for the annual Monster Mash on Market, sponsored by Downtown PKB.

Wendy Shriver, executive director of Downtown PKB, said the new item featured at this year’s event was an opening flash mob-style “Thrill the World” performance by Brickhouse Cardio to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Shriver said the Monster Mash took over the 400 block of Market Street and had a new guest that was hard to ignore, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from “Ghostbusters.”

“The West Virginia Ghostbusters brought him here,” she said. “It has gotten a lot of attention and lots of children have had their pictures taken there.”

Shriver said the Ghostbusters led the children to the Smoot Theatre for a showing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” after the outdoor events were completed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Going over the candy they collected at the Monster Mash were, from left, Sarah Barnes, Ashley Barnes, Levi Barnes and Kennedy Hughes, all of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

For the past few years Barbara Haught, 68, has been a fixture at the Monster Mash as a ghoul.

“I’ve always liked Halloween and at my age it is not kosher for me to go out trick or treating,” she said. “But I can get dressed up and come down here and have fun, scare people and make people laugh.”

Haught said a lot of people like to have their pictures taken with her.

“I can be a fool, act silly and act young and have a good time,” she said. “I love it.”

Chad and Amber Davis, of Parkersburg, were among those who ventured out for the evening. It was her first visit while Chad had been to previous Monster Mash events.

Barbara Haught came out as a ghoul for the annual Monster Mash on Saturday. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

“It’s something to do downtown,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun for everyone and for the kids. Everybody gets to express themselves a little better and in crazy ways. I really enjoy it.”

Amber said her favorite part was at the start.

“I loved that flash mob, it was awesome” she said. “I’m glad I got to see that.”

“I enjoyed it, too,” he said.

Jennifer Randolph, of Little Hocking, said she comes to the event with elaborate costumes. This year she came as La Muerte from the “Book of Life.”

A Thriller flash mob opened the fifth annual Monster Mash sponsored by Downtown PKB on the 400 block of Market Street on Saturday. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

“Last year I came as the Snow Queen and everybody thought I was Elsa,” she said.

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