STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Children hoping to score a treat from Valley Tile and Floor this year had to summon their courage as they had to reach inside the open mouth of a crocodile baring its teeth. Some were brave enough to do so. Others found ways to circumnavigate around the plastic croc’s head to reach inside the blue tin bucket for a lollipop.

Just one of the latest snapshots in Hailey’s longstanding tradition called Halloween Hoopla.

Hundreds of youngsters and adults dressed in costume poured onto the streets of Hailey on Thursday as an early morning snow melted away under warming afternoon temperatures.

Jane Reynolds, who grew up in Ketchum, said she wasn’t fazed by Mother Nature’s trick, which dumped an inch or two on Halloween morning.

“When I grew up, it was always snowy on Halloween back in the old days, so I’m fine with it,” she said.

Two giant bouncing sharks swam through the streets, cajoling shopkeepers into handing them treats, although the quarter pounders roaming the street might have been even scarier given the recent recall of the popular burgers.

Jen Byington and Cameron Loper handed out big blue piggy banks stuffed with tiny candy bars on behalf of Idaho First Bank. And Adriana Gutierrez took her place as a princess dressed in a satin blue gown behind a miniature Dia de los Muertos altar outside Zions Bank.

Whole families got involved, and so did store staff. Those at Shorty’s Diner stood outside dressed as bacon, egg, toast and avocado. Sloan Storey and Sarah Verst dressed as a strawberry and banana as they handed out ginger tofu bowl, coconut curry bowls and other orders at the Wylde Beet.

Wyatt and Marvel Remington turned out as a train conductor and passenger dressed in vintage felt cloche hat behind their young son, Rowe who led them through the streets as a little conductor in a train.

Gilberto, Everly and Kaitlyn Ceja took on the role of Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and one of the Dwarves. And Chris Carwithen , who just finished The Liberty Theatre Company’s production of “The Little Shop of Horrors,” reprised his role as Seymour Krelborn as he paraded around with his child dressed up as a smaller versions of Audrey II, the carnivorous plant with the flytrap mouth.

Hailey Police stood on nearly every corner guarding the precious stashes of candy—and the little tykes making their bid for it.

Even dogs got into the act with Bubbles and Gordo, two English Bulldogs dressed in fairy outfits made the rounds along with other dogs that dressed up as hot dogs, dragons and demons.

“They love Halloween!” said owner Nikie Serrato.