This past Saturday another wonderful fall Farmingdale tradition took place. Despite the winds and on-and-off drizzle, more than 30 ragamuffins took part in the annual Kiwanis Ragamuffins parade. Because of the weather conditions the parade was limited to the Village Green instead of the customary march down Main Street. The spirit and enthusiasm were still there as the little tikes paraded around the Village Green sidewalks oblivious to the blustery conditions. The parade ended under the gazebo where the judges made their final decisions for the various costume winners. In my mind they were all winners. The array of costumes was amazing. There were soldiers, robots, lions, pirates, super heroes, princesses, dinosaurs, aliens and more. Some costumes were homemade, some store-bought, some elaborate, some simple, but all were designed with the same goal - to let them have fun and enjoy the Halloween season. I would like to thank the Kiwanis Club, its members and its President Rosemary Trudden for organizing this event. The children had a great time as well as the adults who were on hand. I want to compliment the marchers and their parents for all of the great costumes. I hope more families will take part in this terrific event next year. November also is the month that two more Farmingdale traditions take place: the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce Annual Holiday Parade - Nov. 18 and the lighting of the Tricentennial Tree in the Village Green - Nov. 29. I hope you will all come out and take part in these events. Please come and be part of the traditions that truly make us a very unique community. I look forward to seeing you there.