Halloween events for children will be held across Avoyelles

    Several municipalities have scheduled special events and set hours for trick-or-treating this Saturday, Oct. 31. In addition, churches and other organizations are also holding what many call “safe alternatives” to the traditional door-to-door candy quest.

    Marksville - The parish’s largest event is Marksville’s annual “Halloween on the Courthouse Square,” to be held from 5-7 p.m. in downtown Marksville. The event is hosted by the City of Marksville, Markville Police Department, Chamber of Commerce and Avoyelles Arts Council.

   The city will also have its traditional “haunted house” in the old City Hall from 6-10 p.m. There is no admission fee.

   For additional information on the events, call City Hall at 253-9500.

  During “Halloween on the Square,” businesses and organizations will hand out candy and provide games and activities for children.  The Arts Council and Chamber of Commerce will conduct costume contests and other activities. 

  There will also be a decorating contest for booths at 5 p.m. The winning team’s name will be put on a traveling plaque. There is no fee for businesses and organizations to have a booth or enter the decorating contest, but they must provide their own candy for trick-or-treaters.

  Registration for the costume contests will  begin at 5 p.m. There will be children and adult divisions with prizes awarded in three categories: Scary, Funny and Most Original. Judging will begin at 5:30 p.m. Participants must be registered to be eligible for an award.

  A pumpkin decorating contest will be judged at 5:30 p.m. Participants must bring an already-prepared pumpkin to the event. Winners will be declared in “carved only” and “decorated only” categories.

  A train ride will be available in front of the courthouse so small children can take a free ride around the Square.

For more information on the Courthouse Square activities, call Van Roy at 240-3495 or Allison Augustine at 264-9392.

 

Other community events  reported to the newspaper are:

   Bordelonville - Trick-or-treating will be held at the recently renovated Bordelonville Community Center in the former Bordelonville High School, from 5-7:30 p.m.  Children will receive a free hot dog,  chips, a juice and a treat bag at the end of the trick-or-treating route. The event is free of charge and open to everyone.

  Organizations/groups wishing to hand out candy are welcome to attend. For more information call Brandi Lemoine at (318) 447-2340.

Evergreen - The Evergreen Fire Department will host village Halloween activities. Candy will be given out in front of the fire station from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

  For more information call (318) 346-9844. 

 

  Bunkie - A “Fall Harvest Celebration” will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. outside of Haas Auditorium. The event is sponsored by the City of Bunkie and Lone Pine Assembly of God Church. The church will give candy as well as hot drinks, cold drinks or water to participants.

  There will be inflatable jumps, sponsor games, face painting and other activities, all at no cost. For more information contact: Rev. Jack Osteen at 318-838-4204.

 

  Effie - “Walk-N-Treat” around the Ward 1 Community Foundation Walking Trail is set for 4:30-6:30 p.m. The event is free and sponsored by the Ward 1 Community Foundation. Parking will be available at Oak Grove Methodist Church, north of the walking track on La. Hwy 115. No parking is allowed on the highway. For more information call (318) 613-2274.

 

  Hessmer - The Hessmer Fire Department will be giving out candy to children from 5:45-8 p.m. at the Rateau Center on West Main Street. For more information, call the Hessmer Town Hall at (318) 563-4511.

 

  Cottonport - The town’s annual Halloween Extravaganza will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Cotton Queen Square, weather permitting. In case of rain, the festivities will be moved to the KC Hall next to the town hall on Bryan Street. The event is sponsored by the Cottonport Police Department, Avoyelles Sheriff’s Office and employees of the Avoyelles Correctional Women’s Facility. For more information, call Cottonport Town Hall at 318-876-3485.

 

  Mansura - “Trick or Treat on the Walking Track” will be held from 6-8 p.m. Businesses and civic organizations will set up candy stations around the walking track to hand out goodies to children. A haunted house in the center of the track is sponsored by the Mansura Fire Department. Free hot dogs and juice will be given to all children under 13. Spooky music will be played by a DJ. 

  The event is free, but visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Cenla Food Bank. For more information call the Mansura Police Department at (318) 964-2120.

 

   Moreauville - A “spook-tacular” time is promised for those attending Moreauville’s Halloween activities at the Moreauville Fire Station -- across from Avoyelles High -- from 5-8 p.m. The event is a cooperative effort of  Moreauville Volunteer Fire Department, Moreauville Neighborhood Watch and  the Louisiana Farm Festival. There is no charge for those attending or for those wishing to set up booths to participate.

  Businesses, organizations and individuals in and around Moreauville are invited to participate by either setting up a booth or donating to the event. Those setting up booths are responsible to supply  candy, a table and decorations. There will be a booth-decorating contest with prizes awarded. Decorating begins at 4 p.m. There will also be a haunted house with free hot dogs and juice handed out to children at the end of the adventure trip. 

  No alcohol is allowed and security is provided. For more information call 359-1621 or 305-3375.

 

  Plaucheville- An outdoor “Halloween Festival” will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the village’s community center. The festival is sponsored by the Village of Plaucheville and will feature booths handing out candy. Visitors will get a free hotdog and juice box. There will also be an area set aside where parents can take photos of their children in costume. For more information call (318) 922-3111.

 

  Simmesport - The town of Simmesport will hold its annual “Halloween Bash” at Yellow Bayou Park from 5-7 p.m. Businesses and/or individuals will be allowed a free 12-foot space to set up a decorated table as a treat station for the trick-or-treat event, which is for children ages 12 and under.

  No alcohol is allowed in the gate and only walk-in traffic will be allowed in the trick-or-treat area. To participate or for more information call Tracy Lemoine at 253-2337, Gail Firmin at 359-2513 or Tisha Moreau at (337) 654-7223.