Hoboken's status as a family-friendly community was epitomized at the annual Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade on Monday, where hundreds of the city's best-dressed marched down Washington Street.

Unseasonably warm weather helped make it one of the best attended Ragamuffin Parades in several years, with a varied assortment of pumpkins, Jedi knights, peas in the pod, and princesses. Led by a handful of bands and floats, they were joined by adventurous adult witches and warlocks in celebration of Halloween.

From the parade's inception in 1964, residents have turned out in droves. Members of the Hoboken Police Department created the parade and have encouraged some of their own officers to dress up along with the kids. The parade died out in the 1970s when Hoboken hit tough economic times, but was brought back in 1993. Another aspect of the parade that has grown dramatically is the number of toddlers and babies.

Many parents took to extensive stroller decoration. One mom and dad dressed up as dog catchers and pushed their toddler's stroller covered with cardboard "bars." Locked inside was their son dressed as a furry puppy. Another family put their son, who was dressed in an adorable chicken suit, in a big red bucket with the word "KFC" emblazoned.

Also this year, in conjunction with the Ragamuffin Parade, was the Hoboken Dog Association's third annual Wagamuffin Parade and costume competition. Following the kids were several dozen pets dressed as everything from bubble bees to princesses.