Children and parents parade down Marion Township’s Main Street for the annual Trick or Treat festivities Saturday afternoon. Molly Miller/ Butler Eagle.10/29/22

MARION TWP - Witches, princesses, football players and bananas roamed the streets of Marion Township, gallivanting before residents in the Halloween parade Saturday afternoon.

The parade began with a fire truck coasting down Main Street, followed by hundreds of children and parents visiting local businesses and residents with bags in hand.

According to Jason McBride, Marion Township council chairman and owner of McBride Pizza and Wings, the parade is a 20-year ritual.

“It’s the perfect place for togetherness. I like to see kids enjoy the tradition,” he said.

McBride’s restaurant handed out slices of pizza to Trick-or-Treaters for the occasion. He expected to give away 300 slices because of the great turnout.

Chloe Benscooter, left, and Savannah Rowley, right, collect candy during the Halloween parade and Teick or Treat Saturday in Marion Township. Molly Miller/ Butler Eagle10/29/22

Groups crossed the street freely thanks to Marion Township Volunteer Fire Company directing traffic.

One rambunctious group included Savannah Rowley, 12, and her friend Chloe Benscooter, 16.

“I didn’t know they had a parade, but I like free candy,” Savannah said. “I’m dressed as a clown. I don’t know why.”

Chloe was dressed as Stitch from the Disney movie “Lilo and Stitch.” She said the best costume she saw that day was of a dragon.

“I like free candy too. After this, I’m also going to a Halloween party,” she said. “My favorite part of this is walking behind the firetruck.”

Alicia Rowley, Savannah’s mother, also brought her children Caden, age 10, and Kenzie, age 6.

“We’ve never done this before,” she said. “The weather’s nice, that’s a plus.”

Kendra Markel said she was Trick-or-Treating with her sons and husband. Though they don’t live in Marion Township, the Halloween parade has been a tradition in their family.

“We grew up here, my parents still live here, so we always meet them so they can see the kids in costume,” she said. “We’ve done this since we were little, and we’ve kept coming back even though we’ve moved to different towns.”

The spirit of Halloween was alive and well as the afternoon continued, and McBride said he enjoyed seeing all the costumes.

“I’ve seen senior citizens in costume, everyone from a 70-year-old woman to a six month old baby gets into it,” he said.

Children parade past a Marion Township Volunteer Fire Company truck during the Halloween parade and Trick or Treat Saturday afternoon. Molly Miller/Butler Eagle10/29/22