Jaunty floats, pulsating music and a surge of revelers transformed the area into a dazzling boulevard of fun and frolics as the annual children’s Ragamuffin Parade got underway in Bay Ridge.
The merry march – now in its 42nd year – featured a cavalcade of costumed munchkins, enjoying an amiable amble along Third Avenue, from 72nd to 92nd streets, to celebrate the onset of fall fun.
The delightful sight of hundreds of imaginatively dressed youngsters added to the creative, homespun flavor of the tyke trek, which showcased a spooktacular smattering of witches, ghouls and goblins in addition to more whimsical offerings by the pint-sized participants.
Keeping frolickers in step with the festivities were student marching bands, dance troupes and strolling performers, who waved to spectators from aboard floats.
Leading the jaunt was Grand Marshal Monsignor Michael Phillips, pastor of St. Anselm’s Church, 356 82nd Street, and “Man of the Year” Dozier Hasty.
The Ragamuffin Parade, which began as a safe alternative to trick or treating, has grown into one of Brooklyn’s premier street spectacles with a contest and prizes for the best-dressed “ragamuffins.”
The competition is divided into three age groups – birth to three years, four to eight years, and nine to 12 years.
All costumed participants received a gift, and the winners, who were awarded bicycles, were: Cindy Cavalli, Chelsea Nunis, Rebecca Feliciano, all from Bay Ridge; and Alex Puglisi and Nicholas Puglisi, whose neighborhoods were undetermined at press time.
