Area communities in the parish are preparing to “trick or treat” for Halloween on Friday and Saturday this year.
Oakdale
Oakdale will celebrate Halloween on Saturday, October 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with its “Trick or Treat Trail” downtown.
Recently, Mayor Gene Paul announced the annual downtown Trick or Treat Trail is ready for the little goblins. There is still time to call city hall to register your booth or tent to participate in the event.
“You’re invited and encouraged to come downtown and set up a tent, table or whatever you feel would be enjoyable for our children, Paul said. “Downtown Trick or Treating offers a fun, safe atmosphere for the whole family to enjoy Halloween. If you are a participant, then you already know how much the children love dressing up and having a good time downtown. If you’ve haven’t joined us yet, please consider participating this year. We are asking for more businesses and organizations to set up booths or tents and give out treats to the children on this evening. To add to the festivities, there will be a decorated booth contest. Children can also enter the Fourth Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest on the same day as Trunk or Treat for a chance to win a prize.”
Mayor Paul said, “If you plan to be a part of the Downtown Trick/Trunk or Treat please respond to my office by calling Katelyn at 318-335-1111 no later than October 25th, 2021.”
Elizabeth
The Village of Elizabeth will conduct a Trick or Treat event on Friday, October 29, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. There will be a door-to-door trick-or-treating event. Booth space is available, and a form must be completed at the Elizabeth Community Center. A spookiest house and spookiest booth award will be given. There will be a movie, Disney’s Cruella, shown at the Elizabeth Community Center at 6:30 p.m. for all “gouls and goblins.”
Oberlin
Oberlin will observe Halloween on Saturday, October 30, between the hours of 5 to 8 p.m.
Reeves
The Village of Reeves will host “trick or treating” on Saturday, 30, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Before the little ones hit the streets they can “Trunk R Treat” at the Reeves Recreation Park on Saturday, October 30, from 4 p.m. until. There will be free games, prizes and food under the pavilion. The “best trunk” wins a $25 gift card.
Kinder
The Allen Parish Community Healthcare Foundation is organizing a downtown event for Halloween this year. Usually the hospital hosts an event on the hospital grounds, but due to construction, organizers are moving the event to downtown Kinder.
Churches, organizations and residents are encouraged to join in the festivities on Saturday, October 30 by setting up tables, tents or tailgating to distribute candy to the little goblins from 5 to 7 p.m. The street between Hwy 190 and U.S. 165 would be closed from Eighth Street to the gazebo. Families are encouraged to attend
Persons and organizations interested in joining or learning more can contact city hall or one of the following foundation members, Jerry Courville, Veronica Karam or Kent Andrews.
Safety tips given
Remember, whether you join one of these events or go door-to-door, only visit houses where lights are on outside indicating there is candy being given at this location. Remember to review the rules with your little goblins before hitting the streets or events.
•Bring a flashlight to help with visibility or carry a light (glow) stick.
•Do not talk to anyone driving by in a car. If an adult needs directions or help, they should be talking to another adult.
•Do not approach dogs you do not know. Always ask the owner for permission before approaching dogs, even if you know them.
•Don’t eat any candy unless your parent allows you to eat it.
•Always use the buddy system.
•When crossing streets, use traffic signals or crosswalks. Do not dart out between cars. Always look both ways before crossing the street. Watch for turning vehicles.
•Face traffic when walking on the sides of the street.
•Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
•Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
•Remember to slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
•Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
•Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
To learn more, visit websites like www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips or https://kidsafefoundation.org.