Halloween might be a day that's non grata in some cities and towns, but Derry welcomed a huge crowd of trick-or-treaters at an early celebration of costumes and candy on Saturday.

A couple of hundred children and parents started out at Veterans Hall where ghosts, princesses, vampires and all sorts of other characters paraded for a panel of three judges. Prizes were awarded for the spookiest and most creative costumes. Immediately after, downtown Derry was taken over by the trick-or-treaters who visited businesses and shops where owners met them at the door with huge baskets of candy.

“It's terribly hard to pick the winners,” said Adele Boeske, who judged the costume competition with Evan Bush and Joyce Ozelies. “You don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, especially the parents.”

And there's no doubt Derry parents were very invested in Halloween. The days of Halloween's one-piece jumpsuit costumes made from flammable material and masks with tiny holes that barely allow a child to seem let alone breathe, are long gone. Lots of kids in Derry had elaborate home-made costumes with makeup that could compete with Hollywood.

Ozelies rejected the idea that Halloween is becoming controversial and suggested it was a day tailor-made for children.

“Kids love to dress up, and they like candy,” she said. “There's nothing wrong with a little Halloween in your life.”

And there's nothing wrong with a little Halloween in a downtown district.

“Anything that brings people downtown is great,” said Tim Moran, who dressed up as a leprechaun with a big pot of candy that he doled out in front of his business, Halligan's Tavern.

Kendra Kocur, owner of Iridessa Salon, agreed it was nice to get people out on Broadway, but added the event was more about fun than business.

Kids seemed pleased to be able to show off their Halloween finery.

Cassie Johnson, 12, of Derry, who won one of the coveted costume awards, proudly said that her mom did her makeup.

“It's supposed to be a sugar skull from the (movie) 'Day of the Dead',” she explained.

Victoria Reynolds of Manchester won a spookiest costume in her age group for her outfit of a bloody nurse.

“She wanted to be something scary,” said her mom, Michelle.

Saturday was just the beginning of Halloween in Derry. On Wednesday, the library will celebrate Spooky night, followed by Monster Art class on Thursday afternoon. And traditional Halloween trick-or-treating goes on as usual on Oct. 31.

And for Gabe Wyman, that's a couple of extra occasions he can dress as Luigi from Mario Brothers, although he concedes he's also a big sonic fan.

“It's a great event for the kids and the town,” said Boeske. “It's just a lot of fun.”