Area communities ready for Halloween

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Halloween activities will be the focus today in several Van Wert County communities, starting with the Harvest Moon Festival held in downtown Van Wert, for which activities begin at 8:30 this morning.

Harvest Moon Festival events and activities include a 1-mile fun run at 8:30 a.m. today, followed by a Costume 5K Run/Walk at 9 this morning.

Other activities include the last Market on Main outdoor growers and vendor market of the year in front of the Van Wert County Courthouse, a spooky storyteller in the downtown Garden of the Senses, trick or treating downtown from 9:30 a.m. until noon and a chance to gawk at Judy Geary’s unique Halloween creatures, which will be roaming the sidewalks all morning.

Hayrides will also be touring the downtown Van Wert area and will load and unload in front of The Hotel Marsh. Sponsors for the hayrides include First Financial Bank, Taylor’s Auto Sales, Wells Fargo and The Van Wert County Foundation, all sponsors of Main Street Van Wert.

Beginning at noon, the annual Fall Fright Festival will be held in the Commercial Building at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

Fall Fright Fest will feature free goody bags, coupons for free treats from local businesses, candy, and tickets for playing games such as Skeeball, Roberto’s Revenge, Tic Tac Bloody Toe, Bop the Bat, hole in One, Deadly Dentist and Plinko. A cakewalk will also be held, along with a costume judging, and a Happy Halloweenie food stand offering hot dogs, Coney dogs, chicken and sloppy joe sandwiches, chips and beverages.

A photographer will also be on hand to take 5-by-7 Halloween costume photos at $5 apiece.

Following the Fall Fright Fest will be Halloween festivities in Van Wert and surrounding communities, including trick or treating.

Van Wert’s trick or treat times will be 4-6 p.m. Those wanting to hand out treats should have their porch lights on, while children should only go to homes where porch lights are on.

Ohio City will have its Trunk or Treat Festival from 4-6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Ohio City Community Building. A costume judging will be held at 5:30 this evening, along with kids’ games and free food sponsored by local churches.

A Halloween party for adults will be held from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with live music by Section Ate. Free admission and free chili and peanut butter and lettuce sandwiches and beverages will be offered, while a costume judging will also be held. The party is sponsored by the Ohio City Park Board, Greve Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ohio City Express.

Middle Point will hold its annual trick-or-treat event from 6-8 p.m., while Convoy’s trick or treating will run from 5:30-7 p.m. and Wren will have trick or treating from 4-6 p.m.

In Grover Hill, trick or treating will run from 5-6:30 p.m., while face painting and TNT the Clown will be featured in front of the fire station from 5:30-7:30 this evening. The Grover Hill Welcome Park boosters will serve a meal at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post from 4-8 p.m., with all proceeds benefiting the park, while a parade will begin at 7:30 this evening, starting in front of Grover Hill Elementary School.