Costumes come to life downtown

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Ben Hillyer/The Natchez Democrat — Police officer Derrick Byrd had the holiday crowds under control at the corner of Main and Commerce streets during the annual Trick or Treat for Little Feet Halloween celebration in downtown Natchez. The 1-year-old dressed in his freshly pressed uniform, complete with hat and handcuffs.

NATCHEZ — All the little devils were out and likely up to no good Monday night, but Officer Derrick Byrd was prepared to provide any needed law and order to the scene.

Byrd, a member of the force for one year, stole the show, and a few hearts, as he toddled — ahem, patrolled — the streets of downtown Natchez on Halloween night.

Byrd, 1, and his police officer costume were joined by princesses — fairy and Disney — half a dozen or more Marios, a few race car drivers and more than a few youngsters who wore a costume even they couldn’t define.

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Everyone recognized Davion Claiborne’s getup though.

Nine-month-old dragon Corbin Stewart had a chariot for the event.

Claiborne played the part of Michael Jackson in costume and in dance steps.

“The coolest costume I’ve seen was Michael Jackson,” candy giver Linda Ayers said from her post on Main Street. “He did some really cool moves.”

Claiborne, who walked the streets with his mom Tammy Hill, made most of his costume himself, including the Jackson-style gloves made from his socks.

Down the street a bit, 4-year-old Lily Levy was getting the hang of trick-or-treating and wasn’t fearful of asking for the goodies all by herself. Levy, dressed as Rapunzel, said she intended to collect a lot of chocolate that night. But Mom and Dad had plans for her candy as well.

“We’ll definitely ration the candy,” Philip Levy said.

Glenda White, dressed as the Queen of the Nile, led her little devil granddaughter Mya Saxton, up Main Street Monday evening.

“And we’ll take however much she wants to share with Mom and Dad,” Jessica Levy said.

Most parents walking Main, Franklin and the cross streets in between for Trick or Treat for Little Feet had a plan for the candy.

“We’ll divide it up,” Melissa Jones said of the loot daughters Ashleigh and Madison were collecting. “But they really don’t eat that much candy.”

Regardless of the plan for eating it, downtown business owners supplied plenty of candy to crowds so large foot traffic sometimes bottle necked the sidewalks during the event.