A super (hero) Halloween

There were a lot of witches and angels walking the streets of Brainerd Sunday, as well as many zombies, princesses and clowns.

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But for trick-or-treaters in search of Halloween candy, Spider-Man and Batman appeared to be the costume of choice.

"The most popular by far is Spider-Man," said Brainerd Police records technician Cheryl Jensen, who, along with several co-workers at the Brainerd Police Department, handed out glow-in-the-dark necklaces and candy to children.

Other popular costume choices were Scooby Doo, masks from the movie "Scream" and princess outfits, said Jensen. She and her co-workers saw a lot of costumes as people began lining up outside the police department at 3:30 p.m., a half-hour before department employees had advertised.

"It's crazy. It's been great. They come in bunches, but it has always been steady," said Jensen, who had necklaces and candy bags enough for 1,000 children.

Across the street, members of the Brainerd Fire Department also handed out candy.

"It's been a pretty good run of it," said Keith Bachman, a Brainerd firefighter. He said the fire department started handing out candy at 4 p.m., but he noticed people arriving at the police department as early as 1 p.m.

Getting in line at the police department were Danielle and Cody Ohoeisele of Brainerd, who with their parents, Susie and Chad Ohoeisele, were making the rounds to other area Halloween events before combing the neighborhoods. Danielle was dressed as a which from the "Wizard of Oz," and Cody was a duck hunter.

"So far, it's been good," said Susie Ohoeisele, as they kids showed off the various chocolate and fruit flavored candies resting in their pumpkin-shaped buckets.

But Halloween isn't just for the kids. Kelli Kitzman, owner of Party World in Baxter, said she has rented out hundreds of costumes to adults.

"Costumes for couples have been the most popular. It surprised me," Kitzman said. Last year animal costumes dominated, she said, but this year people are renting pairs such as gangsters and flappers, cavemen and cavewomen, and monks and nuns. While she doesn't have many kids for customers, Kitzman said of those that have been in her stores, Spider-Man, Batman and Superman are the most popular choices for costumes.

After two days of rain, the weather Sunday cooperated for the thousands of children making the rounds in area neighborhoods for Halloween treats. And this Halloween was quiet for law enforcement officials, too. Crow Wing County Sheriff's Sgt. Chad Paulson said as of 6:30 p.m. his office had received no calls about vandalism or other problems connected with tricksters.

"It might be different with (Halloween) on Sunday this year," Paulson said.

In Brainerd, extra police officers patrolled neighborhoods in unmarked cars, in order to keep a watch for Halloween-related vandalism and other crimes.

"Unfortunately, those are some of the things that go along with Halloween, but so far (as of 7:30 p.m.) it's been pretty good," said Brainerd Police Sgt. Terry Crocker. He said such crimes may be deterred by the weather and the fact that most downtown bars held their Halloween parties Saturday. "The pumpkin smashing usually doesn't start until later, anyway."

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.