Chamber will host 'Trick or Treat' event Saturday

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

dering the question of what they want to be for Halloween, but the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce has made the "what will we be doing?" question easier for area youth as they have a full slate of activities planned for this weekend including "Trick or Treat on Main Street" in Downtown Fort Scott on Saturday.

Saturday opens with "Creepy Crawly Crafts" at 9 a.m. at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave., for children ages preschool to fifth grade. The event lasts until 10:30 a.m. There also will be kids' games from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., a pumpkin carving contest from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and a costume contest at 11:30 a.m. The fees are $1 per person for crafts, and $2 per pumpkin for the carving contest. Kids are asked to pre-register at Buck Run Community Center by Thursday.

Children may register for the parade at 10:30 a.m. at Skubitz Plaza. The Halloween Parade and Costume Contest 2012 will be hosted by PRIDE students from Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School. Judging is scheduled for 11 a.m. and the parade kicks off at 11:45 a.m. All children in costume will receive a free hot dog lunch following the parade. The free "Hallo-Weenie" lunch is courtesy of Peerless Products and organized by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Award certificates will be presented to the first and second place winners in a number of categories, including Sports Figure, Historic Character, TV or Movie Character, Musician, Occupation and Parent/Child. An overall winner also will be awarded.

The costume contest awards are being provided by Walgreens, who will also be taking free Halloween photos at Skubitz Plaza from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. The photos taken may be picked up at Walgreens on Monday, Oct. 29.

All ages are invited to participate in the costume contest and parade. However, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Following the costume contest, participants will parade through downtown "trick or treating" local merchants along the way. Parents are welcome to walk with their children in the parade which will follow a route down the east side of Main Street from Skubitz Plaza to Second Street, then down the west side of Main Street from Second Street to Skubitz Plaza.

In case of rain, the costume contest and parade will be canceled, but children may trick or treat downtown from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, with free hot dogs provided to children.

Everything Pets, 605 S. National Ave., will be taking pet photos from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. There also will be a pet costume contest at 2 p.m. with the following categories: funniest, scariest, most creative, and owner look-alike. Interested persons may schedule their pet photo by calling 223-5555.

Saturday's events are sponsored by PRIDE and The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the Chamber at (620) 223-3566.