A magical Halloween in Evanston

An enchanting mix of sunshine and brisk fall air was a treat for those who ventured out for candy on Halloween. Oct. 31 can be wet, or cold and blustery, or warm and dry. But this year, the autumn weather seemed to cast a spell of Halloween spirit.

An abundance of spooky costumes and decorations set the stage for a delightful afternoon of trick-or-treating from 4 to 7 p.m. Kids of all ages, their parents and even their pets wore costumes. There were ghosts, dragons, skeletons, scarecrows, cowboys, superheroes and Disney characters. Food-themed costumes like burgers, pizza slices, hot dogs, cookies and doughnuts were a reminder that dressing as a food on Halloween can be as much fun as eating it.

Google Trends lists the top costumes nationally. Perhaps not surprisingly, the most popular costume in 2021 was a witch. Cone-shaped hats have been considered essential witch wear since at least 1900, when “The Wizard of Oz” book came out.

Some of Evanston’s youngest residents were in strollers, wearing costumes for the first time. The Griffin family celebrated what they said was “their first real Halloween” with their two young children. “It’s amazing. We’re having a blast,” Mr. Griffin told a reporter from the RoundTable.