A Little Mermaid, Dracula and Yoda were just a few of the 30 characters trotting down Main Street on Saturday in the first ever Old Town Newhall Halloween Parade.

“We have some really cute little kids over here,” said Suzie Szabo, assistant manager of the Old Town Newhall Association.

The association hosted the parade to bring residents out to a renovated Main Street and to give children an opportunity to show off their costumes before Halloween, Szabo said.

Katie Thanate, 6, waved her pompoms as she paraded with Daisy Girl Scout Troop 50102 from Saugus.

“She was going to be a witch but she goes to my son’s football game and she likes to cheer with the cheerleaders,” said Katie’s mother, Kim Thanate.

Many parents accompanied their children down the street, some sporting costumes of their own.

Newhall father Greg Collins got into the spirit with his sons, Benjamin, 6, also dressed as a Jedi master and Jonathan, 2, as Yoda. Mother Jamie Collins kept her youngest son’s driving in line as he rode down Main Street in his Power Wheels, disguised as a Star Speeder with tinfoil.

The family earned first place in the “Best Group” category.

Five members of the Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley volunteered as judges.

The categories included best group, best pet, scariest, most original and cutest. The top three in each category received ribbons but every participant went home with a $5 gift certificate to McDonald’s.

“My personal favorite was the little Dracula,” said Dora Zavala, Soroptimist president. “He was completely in character.”

Dracula, or 5-year-old Travis Williams, of Newhall, who took home the title of “Scariest” parade participant.

Once the parading group reached William S. Hart Park, they topped off their morning with a pumpkin carving contest while the park kicked off festivities of the Heritage Haunt Pumpkin Festival. Park grounds bustled with local residents who could pick from several activities including bug shows, Heritage Haunt back stage tours, large pumpkin carving contest, historic home tours and more. The American Paranormal Research Association also demonstrated its instruments and how to hunt for ghosts.

“We put on a professional level haunt for the price of the amateurs,” said Konrad Summers, a park docent and Haunt volunteer.

Heritage Haunt is drawing in larger crowds than last year with attendance numbers surpassing 1,600 in just two weekends, Summers said.

All proceeds from Heritage Haunt benefit the SCV Historical Society and the William S. Hart Union School District.