Tessie is a lively, friendly resident of the farming community, raising three children with her husband, Bill. She wears a faded house dress and casually exchanges gossip with her neighbors before the proceedings begin. Although she initially jokes with the crowd, she becomes highly vocal and openly protests the fairness of the rules when the event places pressure on her family.

Mr. Summers is a jovial, cheerful man who serves as the master of ceremonies for most public events in town, including the Halloween festival. He brings an orderly, methodical fairness to his civic duties. He handles the ancient, black wooden box and carefully prepares the folded slips of paper for the town's annual tradition.

Bill is a quietly compliant family man raising three children with his wife, Tessie. He places a high value on duty, tradition, and following the rules laid out by the town officials. When his wife raises vocal protests about the fairness of the proceedings, he stoically accepts the situation and sharply tells her to quiet down.

At 77 years of age, Old Man Warner is the oldest living citizen in the village. He is a fierce traditionalist who firmly believes that the annual June gathering guarantees a good harvest. He openly complains about younger generations, dismissing neighboring communities as fools for even considering giving up their historical customs.

Mr. Graves is the local postmaster and a key town official. He intimately knows the names of all the residents and maintains the household lists required for the event. He provides the three-legged stool that supports the black wooden box and calmly assists Mr. Summers with the administrative steps of the ceremony.

Davy is the youngest son of Bill and Tessie Hutchinson, described as barely older than a toddler. He is entirely innocent and too young to understand the rules or meaning of the town's customs. During the ceremony, he requires gentle guidance from his parents and Mr. Summers to pull his folded scrap of paper from the box.

Billy is the eldest son of the Hutchinson family. He is an awkward teenager, noted for having a red face and overlarge feet. He is highly self-conscious about participating in the town's formal gathering and nearly knocks over the black wooden box when reaching inside.

Mr. Martin is a local head of household who steps up to help Mr. Summers stir the slips of paper. He is a strict father who sharply commands his younger son, Bobby, to return to the family and stand properly during the civic proceedings.

Baxter is the oldest son of the Martin family. He dutifully follows his father's lead, providing physical assistance to the town officials to ensure the wooden box does not tip over while the papers are mixed.

Bobby is an energetic young boy who initially ducks under his mother's grasping hand to play near the stone piles. He is quick to laugh but immediately complies and takes his designated place when his father speaks sharply to him.

Mr. Adams is a local head of household who attends the gathering with his wife. He keeps track of regional news and casually points out that neighboring villages in the north are talking about giving up the old traditions.

Mrs. Adams is a local resident who participates in the community event. She chimes in to inform Old Man Warner that some nearby villages have already entirely abandoned the historical customs.

Mrs. Delacroix is a friendly town resident who exchanges casual gossip with Tessie Hutchinson upon her late arrival. During the proceedings, she lightly encourages Tessie to be a good sport and accept the rules of the event.