Manchester Police Officer Anna Martin bonding with Jensen Delacruz over a fun-size candy bar. “We’re just a couple of gnomes,” said Martin with a laugh – and while she may be pint-sized in stature, her big personality and Irish brogue are hugely popular with the downtown business owners she gets to know while patrolling on her bicycle beat.” Photo/Carol Robidoux
MANCHESTER, NH – It’s never too early to collect on some free Halloween candy, which is exactly what drew hundreds of kids to the downtown on Friday to fill their tote bags and show off their costumes two days early.
The annual Trick-or-Treat at City Hall benefitted from some cooperation from the weather – it was a lovely autumn afternoon for haunting the participating businesses, which handed out wrapped candy, lollipops, and even comic books outside the Bookery, courtesy of Double Midnight Comics, as well as free ice cream scoops at Ben & Jerry’s.
Manchester Police Officer Anna Martin was only an hour into the two-hour event when she assessed her dwindling candy cache. “Maybe I should go to Market Basket for more. I thought I had plenty,” Martin said, eyeballing a large crowd of costumed kids heading her way from the other end of Elm Street.
Just then a little gnome and an astronaut hit her up for some fun-sized Snickers. When someone noted what a cute little gnome Jensen Delacruz made, Martin pointed out that they were kindred spirits. “We’re just a couple of gnomes,” she said, with a laugh, a reference to her own small-but-mighty stature.
Jensen’s brother Jayden, 7, was dressed as a NASA astronaut and, when asked where his next space mission would take him, arched his back and looked up into the sky. “Mars!,” he shouted.
Mayor Joyce Craig was popular with the kids on Friday as she handed out treats at City Hall Plaza and directing kids to the Bookmobile where there were free books for everyone. Photo/Carol Robidoux
Kyleigh Rein, 5, removed her Dios de los Muertos mask to chat with Mayor Joyce Craig. Photo/Carol Robidoux
And no, that’s NOT Mayor Craig in the signature kelly-green coat but rather Mariana Beer dressed as a campaigning mayor with a “Vote for Beer” button, handing out candy in front of Bookery MHT. Photo/Carol RobidouxLee Gentile, right, owner of Ben & Jerry’s encountered an actual robot that was not stopping by for free Halloween ice cream, but just trying to navigate the sidewalk. Photo/Carol RobidouxLandon Khan, 5, looked authentic dressed as a firefighter, complete with an air supply pack, which his dad helped to adjust for him (below) as he made his way to City Hall, accompanied by Declan and Kerrigan, a pair of Yorkies his family was dog-sitting for the day.
There were also bunches of kids who were coming from the YWCA afterschool program, in line formation, as they made their way up and down Elm Street to gather up some goodies. Photo/Carol RobidouxIt was a mini-Toy Story reunion, as a little Buzz Lightyear got to hang out with a giant Rex at City Hall Plaza. Photo/Carol Robidoux
Elijah Barber, 5, rocking his “Miles Morales” version of Spiderman costume and his mama, Gabrielle Baker, who looked smashing in a Harry Potter-themed witchy ensemble. Photo/Carol RobidouxJudi Window, of Diz’s Cafe, with her granddaughter, Kendall, who was manning the lollipops. Photo/Carol RobidouxAlli and Bill Seney with their adorable little ghouls, River, left, and Alton. Photo/Carol RobidouxThe Calderon family, including Emiliana, 3, Josan, 5, and “Skeletwins” Ezekiel and Eliso, age 1, in the wagon, out with mom and dad. Photo/Carol RobidouxSkeletwins Ezekiel and Eliso Calderon were taking in all the sights and sounds of Halloween on Elm Street. Photo/Carol RobidouxBriana Caprarello, left, as a candy-loving deer, and Elizabeth Colby, a generous candy witch, of Granite State Candy Shoppe. Photo/Carol RobidouxChris Proulx of Double Midnight Comics giving away comic books to comic-hungry boys and girls at The Bookery. Photo/Carol RobidouxA dinosaur book for a tiny dinosaur at City Hall, courtesy of the Bookmobile. Photo/Carol Robidoux
Speaking of dinosaurs, there was a friendly dinosaur handing out goodies outside Wild Orchid Bakery, which has taken over where La La’s Hungarian Bakery for years was an anchor on Elm Street. Photo/Carol RobidouxSnow White nabs some candy and runs, as her personal paparazzi captures the moment. Photo/Carol Robidoux
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