Messenger photos by Dedra Cordle On Oct. 8, Westgate Park was transformed into a land of myth and magic as dozens of festively adorned adults, canines, and children descended upon the westside destination for the 10th annual Mums and Mummies event. For close to three hours, families throughout the region tested their creativity at the craft tables, participated in spirited costume parades, tried their hands – and feet – at the haunted sack races, cheered as witches danced the afternoon away, and shopped for the perfect hearty mums to bring home for the fall and winter. Pictured here with a few of those mums that were quickly snatched up is Tom Prince, a.k.a. “Mr. Mums.” Prince is a member and volunteer with the two organizations that host the popular fall festival – Friends of Westgate Park and the Westgate Neighbors Association. All of the proceeds from the sale of the mums and the handmade goods sold at Mums and Mummies go toward the cost of hosting events throughout the community year-round.Power Rangers Stephen Walker (left) and Nolan Walker (right) prepare to fight the forces of evil.Beckett Corbett, 5, tries to master the hula hoop. The resident of Grove City was dressed as Jack Skellington from the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”Mary Fischer and her fellow Witches of Westgate Park cast a spell on the crowd as they perform a magical dance number.Hayden Titus, 4, slings through the trees.PJ Nowjack was one skunk that did not scare people away: The 4-month-old stole hearts and the title as best dressed infant.Samuel Fleeter (dressed as Jon Snow) continues his reign as King of the best dressed babies.Megan Wright and her children Nico (left) and Micah (right) go “tree trunk-or-treating.”It was an under the sea affair for the Prizzi-Meyer family, who took home first place in the best dressed family contest. Pictured from left to right are Logan Meyer, Erika Prizzi, Jonah Prizzi-Meyer, and Ruby Prizzi-Meyer.E.T. phoned back to Earth in order to make an appearance with super-fan Jude Morton. The 13-year-old resident of the westside, who was dressed as Elliott, constructed E.T. out of brown paper bags, tape, and water.It was a good thing the event was largely overcast as it allowed Gizmo, the Gremlin leader Stripe, and his band of fellow troublemakers to come out and have some fun. Dressed as Gizmo is Tim Sterling (right); dressed as Stripe is Allen Sterling (left); and dressed as additional troublemaking gremlins are dachshunds Coco (held by Allen) and Charlie and Iggy, who were inside the stroller barking at passersby.
