Ellis Ace Hardware, Rental and Radio Shack and Bellettini Foods, both of Seneca, hosted their annual Halloween costume contest Oct. 31 in the parking lot of the Village Center shopping complex

The free event has been an annual tradition for more than 30 years, with free hot dogs and soda served to children and adults dressed in costumes. Attendees also were treated to free safety flashers and trick-or-treat bags.

Costumes were judged by members of the Seneca Fire Protection and Ambulance District, who also handed out additional prizes to the winners in seven categories. As a fundraising activity, Seneca's Just Animals shelter created a cutest and scariest pet category, with entries' owners paying $5 donations and raising $45 for the shelter.

Costume contest winners — listed by category — were:

Newborn through kindergarten: Ava Sulzberger age 15 months, daughter of Brent and Carrie Sulzberger; grades 1 to 3, Nathan Elliot, 7; grades 4 to 6, Jennifer Elliot, 11; grades 7 through high school, Jacey Lamboley, 13; adults, Jim and Kelly Coffey; cutest pet, Kiya Monster, owned by Katie Kruger; scariest pet, Ruby, owned by Shalee Bauer.