The spirits of Halloween were alive and well as two dozen decorated golf carts took off from the Clubhouse 1 parking lot for a “scarade” tour of Laguna Woods on Tuesday morning, Oct. 31.
A green monster baring its white teeth over the cart’s windshield was one of the first to arrive at the staging area. Cart riders Glennda Adair and Nancy Bledsoe included some colorful baby monsters held “lovingly” in their mama’s arms, fingernails covered in red polish.
This was their second time riding in the holiday parade, which began during the pandemic as a “safe” outdoor activity.
“It was intended to provide a bit of normalcy,” said Shoon Aung of the Village recreation department, who coordinated this year’s event.
Not to be outdone by their carts, many of the riders were dressed for the occasion as well.
Three black-clad participants with skulls for heads rode in a cart with an orange witch’s hat and large eyeballs glaring from the front. Admitting to being Linda Giss and Annie and Denise Harfield in disguise, the three ghoulish riders were making their first parade appearance.
Related: ‘Golden Bachelor’ is a hit among Laguna Woods boomers
They said they built their theme around the eyeballs they discovered at a dollar store. One of the three was blowing bubbles as the other carts and riders gathered before the parade kickoff at 11 a.m.
Pam Meislahn and Tina Magnuson chose a movie theme, dressed as Cruella de Ville and one of the “101 Dalmations” in a doggy-face cart.
“We planned this for a while and have had the costumes for a long time,” said Meislahn, covered from head to toe in a white fur coat and sporting red high heels. On a very warm Halloween morning, she admitted to being “hot but it’s worth it!”
Monica and Hans Berg were dressed as a nun and a Viking, a couple of costumes they have used since the mid 1980s.
“He’s from Norway so is a natural Viking,” Monica Berg said of her other half. “And I grew up Catholic.”
In addition to carts belonging to residents, at least two clubs participated in the parade. Riding beneath a scary and hairy grouping of huge black spiders were California Club board members Leon and Carol St.Hilaire and Dave and Sharon Peavy. The Light Volleyball Club sported a cart as well.
Although riders were not allowed to throw candy, some still yearned for some trick or treat fun.
“I’m hoping someone will give us donuts along the way,” said one of the ghouls, who did appear rather bony and in need of food.
“Who said old people can’t have fun?” asked another costumed rider as the cart parade set off on its hallowed path through the Village.
