Journal Staff Report

Cute characters roamed Cortez’s Main Street Saturday morning, appealing to merchants for treats and playing a few tricks on the parents who were trying to keep them in hand.

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Halloween parade and costume contest, and lots of youngsters turned out to get a head start on their candy stash.

Winners in the baby-to-3 age division were Kiera Keetch, first; Hannah Marie Peterson, second, and Kaesha Helkey, third.

In the 4- to 6-year-old division, winners were Ian Bowers, first; Randy Mathews, second, and Bailey Morris, third.

Winners in the 7- to 10-year-old class were Dominic Johnson, first; Aeron Acott, second, and Mallorye Duran, third.

Rachel Laner won the 11-15 division, followed by Alex Laner at second and Tony Hall at third. In the "big kids’" group, age 16 through adults, winners were Janie, who declined to give her last name, in first place; Jennypher Whitis, second, and Diana Mosher, third.

The 1999 Halloween window display winner, for the third year in a row, was Alltel. Hot Bagel Bakery, the Cortez Journal Production Department, Dream Catcher and Rocky Mountain One Stop were close behind.

Businesses who participated in the Sidewalk Treat Parade included the Cortez Cultural Center, Wilson Pharmacy, Ol’ West Traders, Alltel, Howard’s Sporting Goods, Office Outpost, Cortez Books Etc., Citizens State Bank, Hot Bagel Bakery, Punchak’s Paperbacks, Cortez Travel, Jewel Box, the Toggery, Dream Catcher, Her Impulse, Nu-Way Western Wear, Cortez Journal, Twice Is Nice, Homesteaders, Optical Shoppe, Creative Habitat, Second Image, the Shop on Main, attorney Kelly McCabe, Baskets to Go, Classic Affordable Travel, Martin Agency, Second Time Fashions, Community Bank, Basin Title Insurance, Brenda Swan - CPA, and CableVision.