Following the Monster Dash race through downtown Ashland, thousands began to appear dressed in every imaginable costume for the annual Halloween parade. By 3:15 p.m., the plaza was mobbed as revelers took in the sights and sounds.

Many were regulars at the annual event, but there were many first-timers — and all seemed amazed at the sight of the parade.

Chris Barber, a city employee who has attended 11 Halloween parades here, had overseas relatives in attendance this year.

"My family from France is here," Barber said. "They don't get to do these kinds of things."

Another distant visitor, in particularly creepy attire, experienced the parade for the first time.

"I've never been to any of these before," the Devil Eater said as costume blood dripped down her chin. "I'm from Skagway, Alaska."

Others made a short journey to Ashland on Saturday, but were still first-timers.

"I've been here for four years," said Sherri Ormdorff, a Rogue Valley resident since 1970, "and I didn't know they had this."

An unlikely group consisting of Carmen Miranda, Mary Poppins and Bert Jolly "the chimney sweep" were caught up in the fantasy of the moment.

"It's fabulous. It's the great escape," they said as they walked through the plaza.

A chef, who was also celebrating his birthday, walked by wearing an edible necklace that looked as though it was about to be eaten by a few hungry-looking monsters from the crowd.

A Merlin/King Midas-looking king proclaimed: "I am the king of these festivities!"

Officer Teri De Silva of the Ashland Police Department was clearing the way for the parade route on her Segway, a common sight at many Ashland events.

"It was awesome!" De Silva exclaimed. "It seemed like there was more people here than last year."

Ashland Police Chief Terry Holderness also seemed pleased with the way events were going.

"The parade went well," Holderness said. "There were no lost children and I think we had more people than we ever had before."

Event regulars were also pleased with the parade.

"It's my favorite Ashland parade," said Ashlander Aaron Smith, who has attended 12 parades. "There are a lot of cute kids, lots of smiles. What more can you ask for?"

"I thought it was a great parade. Fun was had by all," Ashland resident Steve Shaw said.

Immediately following the parade, many youngsters headed for the Elks Club haunted house, whose line was a few hundred deep as the parade ended.

Event organizer Alan Parowski took the scary clown theme for this year's fright fest. When children in line were asked what they did so far, most replied: "Trick-or-treating, of course."

The event was best summed up by a young girl in a bumble bee costume.

"It's just like any other Halloween," she said.