Halloween Costumes of Yesteryear

by Michele Yamamoto

This week there are many Bay Village families planning what to wear for Halloween. From parties to trick-or-treating, there will be many opportunities to show off costumes. The following photos are a glimpse into some Halloween costumes of Bay Village past. May they take you back to your childhood or inspire you to recreate one today!

The first Kindergarten class in Bay Village Schools, October 1941. The kids pose for a group photo in their costumes. More on this class can be found in the Bay Blue Book from 1954, which can be viewed virtually on the Bay Village Historical Society website.

*Two photos of* Betsy Andrews leading a 1975 Halloween Story Time program at the old Bay Library building where the Bay Board of Education is currently located. Although this is slightly before my time, I did wear that same Casper mask one year and remember well the plastic bib costume and mask sets that continued to be sold well into the 1980s. 2022.P.08.14.02.03.1.3 & 4

A Halloween event circa the early 1990s at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. I see a Mario brother but no Ninja Turtles here. 2021.P.FIC.295

If you are concerned about preserving Bay Village’s past (even our more recent past) consider donating to the Bay Village Historical Society. You may visit our website Support Us Page, contact us by phone at (216) 319-4634 or email info@bayhistorical.com. Also, feel free to contact us if you know any of the unnamed people in the photos.