They started a few days early — Oct. 26 — to test drive their Halloween costumes and trick o’ treat spirits, and the conditions in Rockport Village could not have been more perfect: a touch of fog, heavy orange leaves covering the sidewalks, and a community that adored watching a small group of young children and their parents make a short parade up Union Street. 

They had started at the Rockport Public Library and ventured along the sidewalk to the corner of Limerick Street, just far enough before turning around and parading back down the street, and the library.

It was a sweet preview of Halloween proper, which takes place Monday..... Careful for what might be behind you.... Boo!