Ghosts and ghouls are getting ready to invade neighborhood streets as area youth gear up for trick or treating. Several events also are planned throughout the area and Elkins Police Chief H.R. White is urging all parents to take proactive steps to ensure safety.
"We are gearing up for a safe Halloween," White said. "We will be giving out reflective mylar bags and glow-in-the dark bracelets and necklaces."
The bags and necklaces will be available at the Elkins Police Department during business hours beginning today. White said that parents need to accompany their children while out gathering treats.
"We recommend the children are with an adult when trick or treating," White said. "We hope drivers will heighten their awareness and lower their speed while traveling through residential areas."
White also suggests parents take their children to neighborhoods where they know the residents.
"Parents should also go through and check the candy," White said. "We will have increased patrols on Friday and Saturday."
Randolph/Tucker Children's Advocacy Center also suggests parents and children to take precautions. They recommend having adult supervision, mapping out a plan, trick or treating in large groups, making sure the children stay outside and use reflective strips, glow sticks or a flashlight.
There are several events planned along with trick or treating in the area. Clayton Homes of Elkins will host its "Safe Trick or Treating" on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In Elkins, the Downtown Merchants will host its annual trick or treat on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Inter-Mountain, Elkins-Randolph County YMCA, Lasting Impressions, Elkins Sewing Center, Henry G's Cafe, Ceramics With Class, Papa Johns, the Rails and Trails Store in the Railyard Restaurant, Main Line Books, Valley Supply and Dreamscapes are among participating businesses.
Trick or treating is scheduled for Saturday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Teter Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Dailey is offering family fun on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The maze is open from noon until 10 p.m. with a flashlight maze from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. There are pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes to fulfill all those decorating or carving needs. Admission is $6 and children age 3 and younger are admitted free. For more information, visit www.teterfarm.com or call 304-338-6856.
On Saturday, at the Pumpkin Patch, Mike Elza from Mountain Hospice will be hand with his artistic talents to paint pumpkins. The proceeds will benefit the Mt. Hospice Patient Care Fund.
In Philippi, trick or treat is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. A Halloween movie will be shown on the courthouse lawn beginning at 6 p.m. and downtown merchants will be handing out candy. Following trick or treat, kids can meet at Rite Aid at 7 p.m. for costume judging by the Philippi Kiwanis Club. A parade will follow the judging with a route from Rite Aid to the Barbour County Courthouse square. The Philippi Main Street Committee and the Philippi Recreation Department are sponsoring the events.
In Belington, trick or treat is scheduled for Saturday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Belington Convention and Visitor's Bureau is hosting a parade on Railroad Avenue beginning at 4 p.m. The kids will march to Belington City Hall and enjoy snacks and games. A costume contest is also planned.
In Junior, trick or treat will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. The Junior Lions Club and New Covenant Church will be providing hot chocolate and games at Junior Town Hall.
In Davis, the Shop 'N Save Express is hosting a Fright Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday featuring treats and a haunted hallway. Costumes will be judged beginning at 7 p.m. for children 12 years old and younger.
The Parsons Shop 'N Save Express will have a costume contest beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Children 5 years old and younger will be judged and children ages 6 to 12 will be judged together.
Categories include prettiest, ugliest and scariest.
The McDonalds in Parsons will be giving candy out to kids from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Ronald McDonald will make an appearance at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Hendricks Park Board will host its Fall Festival from 2 p.m. to dark on Saturday. The event will feature a chicken burn, hot dogs, cake walk, cornhole and games for children. The cake walk will begin at 4 p.m. and costumes will be judged at 5 p.m. The event is being hosted in place of the traditional trick or treating.
Timberline Resort will host its annual Halloween costume party at 9 p.m. on Saturday with a costume contest. There is no cover charge for the event. For more information, visit www.timberlineresort.com.
Several area churches are offering an alternative to the traditional trick or treating. The Elkins Church of God will host its 18th annual Hallelujah Harvest community block party on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a cowboy theme, "Harvest Round-up."
The Hallelujah Harvest will feature several large inflatable games including the 30-foot slide, Castle Jump-Bouncer and Monster Ball; carnival type games, such as Golf-n-Fun, Magnetic Fishing, Kick-n-Score Soccer, Sport Star Ball Toss, Baseball Toss & Score, Magnetic Darts, Inflatable Football, Food Fight, Princess Castle Ring Toss, Lightning Ball and three new games this year, Alligator Ring Toss, Frog Bowling Game and Under the Sea Ring Toss. Clowns Fuzzy & Stubbles also will be on hand.
As the children arrive, they are registered according to age level and are eligible for prize drawings throughout the evening. Each child will receive a bag at registration to hold the candy they will receive as they play games.
There also will be free food. Hallelujah Harvest is open to all children through age 15. Children can dress creatively for the event, however, no face masks are allowed.
The New Life Fellowship Church in Elkins will host its "Trunk-N-Treat" for children 12 years old and younger in the church parking lot. Children will be able to receive candy from the trunks of vehicles which have fall-themed decorations.
The Wayside Southern Baptist Church on Brushy Fork Road in Buckhannon will also host a "Trunk of Treats" on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Highland Park United Methodist Church will host its Hallelujah Harvest Party on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Food will be served and there will be games for kids, teenagers and adults. Costumes without face masks can be worn.
The Fall Festival of Fun will be at the Cornerstone Church in Belington on Sunday starting at 5:45 p.m.
The event will include book time, hot dogs, hay rides, hot chocolate and treat bags. Children may dress as their favorite Bible or fairy tale character and no "blood or scary" costumes will be permitted. The church is located on Industrial Park Road in Belington.
One area dentist is helping the youth take care of any extra Halloween candy. On Nov. 2 trick or treaters can bring their excess candy to any Wilson Martino Dental location or to TLC Dental and be paid $1 for every pound of candy.
The candy will then be shipped to troops serving overseas. The candy must be unopened. Dropoff locations include: Elkins, Buckhannon, Bridgeport, Fairmont, Morgantown, Teays Valley and TLC Dental in Sabraton.
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