SYCAMORE | Witches on motorcycles and kids in costumes made their way through the streets of Sycamore to celebrate this year’s Pumpkin Festival. The theme, “Pumpkin Masquerade,” was made evident by participants donning costumes.

Hundreds of spectators joined vendors on the streets to watch marching bands and local scout troops celebrate the 45th Annual Pumpkin Festival. Leading the parade were grand marshall Gene Palmer and Pumpkin Fest founder Wally “Mr. Pumpkin” Thurow.

While Mark and Doreen Akers, 48 and 47 respectively, usually hide from the parade, they came out this year to cheer on their son Sam, who marched with the Sycamore High School Marching Band.

“He’s the tallest bass drum player,” Doreen said. “This is the first parade we haven’t had to walk in seven or eight years.”

Shriner Gary Palmer, 56, has been working a vending stand every year to raise money for the 22 children’s hospitals around the country sponsored by the organization.

“This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the [local] club,” Palmer said. “The excitement is a good atmosphere to be in.”

The area group had 40 to 45 people working the stand to raise funds.

Making an appearance in the parade was the Chicago White Sox’s mascot, Southpaw. The green monster answered jeers of “maybe next year” with a shrug and a wave to the crowd.

On the lawn in front of the DeKalb County Courthouse was the Lion’s Club pumpkin display. Winning “Pick of the Patch” was Isabel Odom, who constructed a horse out of about 20 pumpkins and gourds. Along with the horse were category winners of other animals such as a rabbit resembling the white rabbit from “Alice in Wonderland,” complete with vest and pocket watch.

Kathy Wiese, 54, from Glendale, tries to visit Pumpkin Fest every year. A former NIU student, she said she looks forward to seeing the families coming out and participating.

“There’s way more people this year,” Wiese said. “It’s nice to see people getting out and doing stuff. When 9/11 happened, a lot of people came out that year. It’s nice to see people out with their families and the kids are cute in their costumes.”