GOFFSTOWN - Though trick-or-treating has been postponed until Sunday and the annual parade was cancelled, there were still plenty of happy (and a few scary) faces at Maple Avenue Elementary School on Halloween.

A storm called Sandy couldn't stop the Halloween spirit the kids brought with them, along with their costumes, to school on Wednesday, said Principal Suzanne Pyszka. After dealing with the aftermath from Monday and Tuesday's storm that toppled trees and cut power to many residents, the town's Halloween Committee, which includes police and the superintendent of schools, recommended that the annual costume parade of students from local schools through town be cancelled. The clouds that threatened rain all day also factored into the decision, Pyszka said.

"It's unfortunate they cancelled the parade," said parent Stephanie Malley, "but I understand. It's just one of those things."

For the fourth-grade class, the announcement was particular sad because this would have been their last chance to wander through town in costume, Pyszka said.

"But we still had fun inside," she said. "Everyone dressed up, and lots of parents came to participate. It was a great time."

In fact, for some kids, like Madison and Kaitlyn Charette, the storm added an element of creepiness to Halloween week, even if the traditions had to be set aside or at least, postponed.

"We listened to Halloween music during the storm," said Madison Charette. "That made it extra spooky."

Ava Allard, dressed in her Strawberry Shortcake costume, wasn't put off by any of the changes, said her father, and though trick-or-treating has been postponed in Goffstown until Sunday, she was just happy to get to dress up.

Malley said the decision to hold off on trick-or-treating was "the right call" for the community and won't have a negative impact on anyone's fun.

Trick-or-treating will take place on Sunday, from 6 to 8 p.m.

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