If ghosts, goblins, fairy princesses and superheroes are looking for treats on Monday, they won't need any tricks to find them.
Jamestown groups and organizations are hosting at least six events for children as young as toddlers up to seniors in high school. And the severity of scary varies too.
The Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory event at Trinity Lutheran Church begins with a dinner of hot dogs, veggies, apples and chips at 5 p.m. for a freewill offering. An indoor parade follows at 6 p.m.
Director of Children and Family Ministries Sarah McDermid said the event is catered to the youngest of trick-or-treaters, targeting children from the toddler stage to about kindergarten age. Little ones are encouraged to dress in costume and, during the parade, gather goodies from congregation members.
McDermid said the public is welcome to hand out candy too, just make sure to bring plenty. More than 400 people attended last year, she said.
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"It's not just about Halloween or trick or treating, it's about coming as a family," she said.
Also indoors is the trick or treating event at Buffalo Mall, which lasts from 5 to 7 p.m. The facility is set at 73 degrees, said Deb Thompson, manager, and for 25 years, has offered a safe place for children to trick or treat from the various merchants. About 19 RSVP+ volunteers hand out treats at each business' entrance, said Kim Diede, administrative assistant.
The Trunk or Treat event at Victory Lutheran Church allows a safe place for children to enjoy some Halloween fun as they trick or treat from businesses, service groups, law enforcement and individuals who store their candy in the trucks of the vehicles. More than 700 people attended the event last year, said Shawn Bowman, senior pastor.
"The only reason we did this is because it's far safer to go around our parking lot and hit 60 cars than to be out in the street," he said.
The event begins with games and a free meal at 6 p.m. Trick or treating begins at 7 p.m., Bowman said.
Trick or treating at Frontier Village is outdoors too, and the organization is offering a horror movie showing for young adults as well.
Village Manager Tina Busche said the Frontier Village buildings open to the public, and the organizations that care for the buildings hand out candy from 5 to 7 p.m. The Wild West Players dress up and decorate the buildings, she said.
And for the older trick or treaters, Frontier Village is sponsoring a haunted theater at its outdoor amphitheater. The movie replaces the haunted maze event that the Village used to hold. "Nightmare on Elm Street," which is rated R, is set to show from 8 to 10 p.m.
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For children too old to trick or treat, Youth for Christ is sponsoring a Christian-based Halloween party.
The event begins at 3:30 p.m. and encourages students in middle school and high school to wear costumes but to avoid scary ones like ghouls, demons and witches. The organization is even giving prizes for costume themes like "funniest" and "best biblical character."
A ham, potatoes and corn dinner begins at 5 p.m. and the event is free for the children.
Organizers Alyssa Page and Barbara Satrom said children in that age group sometimes resort to vandalism, drinking and other negative behaviors on Oct. 31, but this event gives them a chance to "have a good time in a positive way," Satrom said.
Sun reporter Katie Ryan-Anderson can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by email at kryan-anderson@ jamestownsun.com
