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Halloween events planned for the area

Whether you like parades, haunted corn mazes or trick-or-treating for Halloween, there will be something for everyone to do this holiday.

For children and adults who enjoy Halloween parades, there will be at least two this year.

The Lowell Adams Volunteer Fire Department parade will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 31.

“The parade starts at the Lowell Elementary, winds its way through town and ends at the elementary school,” explained Fire Chief Josh Harris.

He added that after the parade, there will be refreshments and a costume contest at the school.

“It’s just a fun thing for the kids,” he said of the costume contest.

The Marietta Halloween Parade, which has been held for more than 90 years, is scheduled for noon Oct. 26. The parade route will start at the Physician Assistant building at Marietta College, proceed down Third Street to Putnam Street, before traveling down Front Street to Muskingum Park, kicking off Halloween in the Park.

But before the parade, costume judging for children will be held at 11:40 a.m. at the Marietta College parking lot at the corner of Third and Butler streets. Judging will be held in four categories, including Most Original, Scariest, Cutest and Best Family, as well as a Best in Show. The cutest costume is for children ages 6 and under.

Children participating in the parade will get a sticker from a Marietta Noon Lions Club member before the parade finishes at the park.

“At the parade, they give the kids stickers to be able to get their candy,” said Connie Grimes, Halloween in the Park coordinator.

Before the treat bags can be given out, they will be assembled on Oct. 23 by the Pioneer Ladies Civitan and the RSVP Volunteers.

“They stock the treat bags with the candy donated,” Grimes said. “The candy is donated by different organizations. Any money taken in through donations buys more candy.”

Organizations donating candy include the Marietta Kiwanis, Marietta Lions Club, Zonta, Marietta Civitan and the Pioneer Ladies Civitan.

“Little Caesar’s donates between $200 and $300 worth of candy, then they come down and give out coupons to the kids,” Grimes added.

Approximately 720 treat bags will be doled out during the event.

Along with candy bags for the kids, there will be food and games available.

“We have about 12 different trick-or-treat games, like ghost velcro pitch, a fishing pond, spider flip game, football throw and a doughnut game,” Grimes said, noting the games are run by the Marietta Middle School Kiwanis Builders Club and the Key Club.

Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be provided by the Marietta Civitan Club.

“And the City of Marietta sponsors in that they donate the park for free,” Grimes explained. “They are instrumental in helping us out with that.”

Last year, the rain and cold weather forced the event indoors at the Washington County Fairgrounds.

“In case it rains again, it will be moved to the junior fair building,” Grimes said.

She said the event is all about civic organizations working together.

“They donate the biggest chunk of money for candy and to buy trinkets and stuff for the games,” Grimes added.

Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.

Trick or treat times:

• Marietta – 6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 26.

• Devola — 6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 26.

• Reno — 6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 26.

• Oak Grove — 6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 26.

• Williamstown — 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

• Lowell – 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 26.

• Barlow — 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

• Vincent — 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

• Beverly – 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

• Waterford — 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

• Belpre – 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Source: Times research.

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