Sleepy Hollow wraps up 50th anniversary events

Between the Power Rangers, the cast of "Scooby-Doo" and Darth Vader, Sabatino Park had enough brains, super power and ambition Saturday to save the galaxy, solve a mystery and destroy a star system.

The Sleepy Hollow Service Club hosted the village's annual Halloween in the Hollow celebration in Sabatino Park Saturday. The festivities included a costume parade, hay rides, pumpkin carving, a bonfire and fall treats.

The Headless Horseman, or rather his ghost, pays residents of his namesake a visit during the annual festival.

"It's kind of quick and simple because we never know what the weather is going to be like," said Bill Grupp, a member of the service club.

Halloween in the Hollow was the last in a series of events marking the village's 50th anniversary.

The overcast but dry fall weather drew about 200 kids and their parents to Sabatino Park for the costume parade and contest.

The children, dressed as the Grim Reaper, Captain Jack Sparrow and a Rubik's Cube, walked across the park by age group as members of the service club judged the costumes and handed out candy.

The Golat family of Algonquin dressed like the stern man and woman in Grant Wood's "American Gothic." Two-year-old Barbara was dressed as a scarecrow, her father carried a pitchfork, and her mother pulled a wagon with hay, crows and Indian corn.

"We thought it was going to be a fun thing, a nice, little family get-together," Shannon Golat said. "We're not going to stick around for the Headless Horseman. She's a little young."

The Madays, who have a three-year-old daughter, Olivia, and a nine-month-old daughter, Kate, said they weren't going to stay for the Headless Horseman, either.

But the Gilberts couple said their daughters, who were dressed up as a cat and a mouse, enjoyed the parade and the candy they got at the end.

"If the kids think it's great, I think it's great," Mike Maday said.