There were plenty of scares and shrieks courtesy of dastardly ghouls and freaks when the Halloween horror show that is the annual fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre burst into life on Sunday.

'Dracula' with cousins Killian Moynihan Knocknagree and Cathal O'Sullivan Rathmore winners of the best dressed family prize sponsored by Christmas in Killarney and O'Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe at the annual Hallowe’en fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Bonnie and Kendall O'Sullivan Killarney with 'Dracula' at the annual Halloween fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Clara and Annabelle O'Reilly Millstreet with 'Dracula' at the annual Halloween fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Conellie and Maisie Sheehan Killarney with 'Dracula' at the annual Halloween fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Cousins Killian Moynihan Knocknagree and Cathal O'Sullivan Rathmore winners of the best dressed family prize sponsored by Christmas in Killarney and O'Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe at the annual Hallowe’en fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre on Sunday pictured with Noreen O'Sullivan and Paul Sherry Killarney Outlet Centre and 'Dracula' . Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Eve Kavanagh and Cara Corcoran Killarney with 'Dracula' at the annual Halloween fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Maggie and Teddy O'Reilly Barraduff with 'Dracula' at the annual Halloween fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Peyton Lad-Gupta winner of the best dressed girl prize sponsored by World of Wonder at the annual Halloween fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre on Sunday pictured with her grandmother Shanta Ben Lad. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Peyton Lad-Gupta winner of the best dressed girl prize sponsored by World of Wonder at the annual Halloween fancy dress parade in Killarney Outlet Centre on Sunday. Included in photo are her father Karan Lad-Gupta grandparents Shanti Lal Lad and Shanta Ben Lad Noreen O'Sullivan and Paul Sherry Killarney Outlet Centre and 'Dracula' . Picture: Eamonn Keogh

Pale-faced, blood thirsty vampires in dark cloaks roamed the silent hallways from early morning with wicked witches busily preparing their brutal brew while mischievous goblins got up to no good as they waited for the parading children to file through the doors.

The frightening freak show lasted for four long and terrifying hours and the enormous effort the children and their families made for the big event was mind-blowing.

There was real cause to be afraid – very afraid – when the parade got underway but fear turned to delight at the finish when some super prizes were given away.

The best dressed boy was Raymond Oliver Maguire, on holiday in Killarney for the weekend, and he went home with a fabulous four-foot pool table while the best dressed girl, 14-month-old Peyton Lad-Gupta, who lives in Killarney, won an amazing modern wooden kitchen.

The best dressed family prize of a visit to meet Santa at this year’s Christmas in Killarney Festival, as well as a family lunch, went to cousins Cathal O’Sullivan from Rathmore and Killian Moynihan from Knocknagree.

All the others that took part in the spooky season parade, with ghosts and monsters in abundance, received goody bags to ensure that everybody went home happy after a fantastic day out.

In addition to the parade, there were spellbinding magic shows, Halloween face painting sessions, a candle making workshop, free balloon modelling, free bouncy castles and a children’s disco laid on by the team at Killarney Outlet Centre.