Hundreds of parents lined the loop in front of the school to see the costumes.

The annual event was accompanied by a pumpkin contest.

The childrens-book-based entries included classics like the Cat in the Hat, Humpty Dumpty, Clifford the Big, Red Dog, modern favorites like Baby Yoda and Stitch, and many others.

Librarian Laura Demers had 78 decorated pumpkins on display in the library.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Warren Area Elementary Center first graders Kyaa Thompson (left) and Kingsley Kightlinger check out the Clifford the Big, Red Dog pumpkin in the school library. There were 78 decorated pumpkins entered in the pumpkin decorating contest. Three winners — determined by student voting — in each class won free books.

Each student was allowed to vote for their three favorites to determine the winners. She encouraged students to visit all of the pumpkins before casting their votes. “You’re going to like all 78 of them,” Demers said. “You’re going to choose your three favorites.”

The decorating rules were simple.

No carving — to keep the pumpkins from rotting at the school.

And, the decorations had to be based on books.

There were entries from students in grades kindergarten through fourth.

The students with the top three pumpkins in each grade won free books.