Excelsior Elementary’s Halloween Parade Unites Community

The Halloween parade is a long-standing tradition, according to Lee Drolet, principal of Excelsior Elementary—a tradition that brings out members of the community, business owners and parents.

“I love that the business owners and the community come out to line the streets for the parade,” said Kathleen Richardson, a paraprofessional at Excelsior Elementary.

The all-costumed Minnetonka High School Band led the parade. Even Sparky the Fire Dog attended, dancing and waving to kids who were all dressed up in a wide range of costumes: Harry Potter characters, Angry Birds and, of course, superheroes and princesses. Conspicuously missing were witches or violent costumes, which were prohibited.

The Halloween festivities were not just limited to the parade, according to Jana Jarvis, a employee. In the morning, the elementary school students went to TCF Bank in their costumes and sang to the employees.

“TCF loves these kids!” Jarvis exclaimed.

A parent, Heather Pint, who has a daugher at Excelsior Elementary said it was nice to see a focus being put on more than just candy on Halloween.

“It’s nice to see everybody coming and supporting their school.”