Snoopy in his doghouse, a multi-car train, the “chick magnet” and a replica of the painting American Gothic were just a few of the costumes displayed at the annual Kiwanis Halloween parade Saturday on the Square.

About 200 area children, split up into seven groups, participated in the best costume contest. The top three costumes in each group were moved onto a final judging in which the best overall costume was chosen.

Judging was done by five members of Eastern’s chapter of Circle K International and this year’s over-all winner was Kevin Griffin, 11, of Charleston. Griffin was dressed as a framed painting of American Gothic.

“I’ve been inanimate objects for a few years now,” Griffin said. “Last year I was a basketball going through a hoop, and this year mom said, ‘How about a painting?'”

Griffin, who has participated in the parade since he was 2 years old, was rewarded with a $50 savings bond. The other finalists were each rewarded $10 and all the participants were given a bag of candy, which were donated by area businesses.

It seemed most children were more excited about the sweet side to Halloween, however.

“I like the candy,” Alex Brake, 6, of Charleston said excitedly when asked what his favorite part of the parade was.

Alex and his sister, Lauren, 4, choo-chooed their way through the parade dressed up for the festivities as a train.

The Kiwanis Club has been sponsoring the parade for about 50 years.