“My wings are getting wet, but I’m having fun,” 11-year-old Raymond McKinney said Saturday, as the winged reaper patiently awaited his turn in line for candy.

It was the sixth grader’s first year at the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia’s 23rd annual Tailgate Halloween in downtown Beckley.

The more rain that poured Saturday at Jim Word Memorial Park, the more kids poured in, as well.

“It’s a wonderful turnout,” said Beckley Renaissance director Jill Moorefield. “There are 42 vendors giving out candy, and each vendor is supposed to be ready with at least 1,000 treats for 1,000 kids.”

Raleigh County Housing Authority’s Marie Clay said they planned for 1,200 children and by noon, were already close to the bottom of their supply bucket.

“We have a blow-up cemetery,” Clay said, “and they have to come through it to get their skeleton teeth and tablets. They’re having a ball.”

“We’ve seen about 40 Spidermen and more than 10 Batmen,” the housing voucher manager added. “This our fifth year, and I think there’s just as many or more kids here than ever before.”

The children were not the only people at Word Park dressed to impress.

“I think it’s great,” said Betty Burns, a blonde Vampira and volunteer for the Youth Museum. “Even with bad weather, it hasn’t dampened anyone’s spirit.

“The kids are so excited,” she continued. “They’re wet, but they don’t seem to mind.”

Safety is the primary reason that Tailgate Halloween continues after 23 years. All treats are marked with stickers indicating their origin, and the trick-or-treating area is protected by law enforcement, firefighters and emergency service personnel.

“This is our second year here,” John Parker, public relations director for Jan-Care Ambulance Service, said, “and we love it.”

Richard Jarrell, owner of Chick-fil-A at Beckley Galleria said he had no idea what to expect at his first Tailgate Halloween.

“Even with the rain, the line is still down the street,” Jarrell said. “So we are really blown away.”

“We have probably seen at least 800 kids so far,” he explained. “This is just another way for us to come out and touch the community.”

Jarrell brought the Chick-fil-A cow to his booth Saturday, along with free ice cream coupons, but 9-year-old Ciara Daniel says Hershey bars are her favorite treat.

“I’ve been here before, and I always like it,” the fourth grader said. “There’s so much great candy!”

— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com