ORIGINALLY WRITTEN CYNTHIA MARTENS
Preparing to offer Halloween activities in the area, a number of organizations are hosting the following “spooktacular” events scheduled around the end of October:
Hillsboro
Trick or Treat Main Street returns this year from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, at participating businesses in downtown Hillsboro.
The event is sponsored by the following businesses with signs posted in their windows: True Value Hardware, Little Pleasures, Prairie Flower and Garden Shop, Thee Bookstore, Nancy’s Fashions, Baker Brothers Printing Co., Molly’s on Main Street, Hillsboro State Bank, American Family Insurance, Real Estate Center, Quick Flick/Radio Shack, Prudent Tours and Hillsboro Furniture.
Also participating are Silver Shears, Emprise Bank, The Cut Above, Hillsboro Free Press, Hillsboro Star Journal, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, Klose & Kozy, Hillsboro Ford, Mary’s Mats & More, Quilts and Quiltracks, Hillsboro Community Medical Center, Central National Bank, Odds-N-Ends and Ampride.
Parents are encouraged to dress in costume while accompanying their children, and businesses will offer parents “Coupons for Costumes.”
A special invitation has been extended to children in the Hillsboro, Lehigh and Durham areas to dress up and enjoy Trick or Treat Main Street.
Marion
– Trick or Treat at Marion Businesses will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29.
Many participating businesses will offer treats to children in the Marion area.
– At 5 p.m., a costume contest will be held in Suffield’s lot, located in between Suffield Heating Cooling & Plumbing and Duckwalls Stores Inc.
– Marion High School Key Club will host a free carnival, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29, at Suffield’s lot.
– MHS students will trick or treat for canned goods from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 31, in the city of Marion. Canned goods will be donated to the local food bank.
– Holy Family Catholic Church will sponsor a Halloween carnival from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Marion Activity Center of Holy Family Catholic Church, 415 N. Cedar.
Organizers are planning children’s games and asking participants to bring one bag of candy per family. Children are encouraged to dress in positive appropriate costumes for the occasion.
A sloppy-joe dinner will be available to purchase at the carnival. Everyone in Marion County is invited-to make Halloween a fun, safe and positive day for all children in the area.
Tampa
No organized Halloween activities are planned in Tampa. But city officials announce that in case of inclement weather, trick or treating will take place at the Tampa Senior Center.
Goessel
Goessel City Council representatives said they encourage all children in the Goessel area to trick or treat around the city on Saturday evening, Oct. 30, instead of Sunday evening, Oct. 31.
Ramona
Ramona’s Spook Fest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30.
The following activities are planned for that day:
– Silent auction, opens at noon, at the basketball court.
– Pumpkin-decorating contest will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and includes games for children.
– Hot dog and chili feed will be available at 4 p.m. Free-will donations will be accepted.
– Halloween costume contest and parade will start at 5 p.m.
– Hayrack ride and haunted house begins at 7 p.m. The cost is 50 cents for children and $1 for adults.
The events are sponsored by The Park Improvement Committee, and committee organizers invite children to join the fun.
Lehigh
The children of the city of Lehigh and Lehigh Township areas are invited to attend a trick-or-treat party beginning at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30, at the city fire house.
After the children trick or treat around town, officials will sound the city siren to let children know it’s time for the party sponsored by the City Park and Recreation Committee.
The activity will include refreshments of hot-spiced cider, and organizers will hand out little sacks of candy and homemade popcorn balls. Children will also play games, such as bobbing for apples.
Florence
A Halloween celebration for children ages 4 through 12 will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Florence Library.
Children are asked to wear costumes, and prizes will be awarded for several costume categories, such as scariest and most original. Activities will also include a short movie and treats.
For more information, call the library at 620-878-4649.
