The ghoulies and ghosties will be taking over the streets again next Thursday, Oct. 31. The annual downtown Trick-or-Treating is set for 5-8 p.m.Most of the activity will be on North Main Street, River Street, and the square. Downtown businesses will decorate their windows and give out candy. Other businesses and organizations are encouraged to set up on North Main or to “Trunk-or-Treat,” which is backing a car or truck into a designated space to give out candy. Several community groups and businesses are planning games and scary attractions, and everyone is invited to visit the games at First Baptist Church’s fall festival. Spirit Awards will be given for the most fun businesses and Trunk-or-Treat groups.

Because Ellijay loves our pets, we’re including them in the fun with a Pet Costume Contest beginning at 5 p.m. on North Main Street. VCA Appalachian Animal Hospital will handle the contest and award prizes for Most Festive, Most Enchanting, Spookiest, Most Like Owner, Most Unusual Costume, and Best in Show.

Then the humans will give us a good look at their creativity with a 6 p.m. Costume Contest in six categories: Wee Ones 0-4; Children 5-8; Pre-teens 9-12; Teens 13-16; Adult Individual; and Family or Couple.

Appropriate vendors can reserve a space for $25. To reserve a space to give out candy (no charge) or to sell, call the Downtown Development Authority at 706.635.4711 ext. 5.

Because this event has become so popular, our downtown stores could use some help in buying candy for the trick-or-treaters. Some businesses spend as much as $200 each year to give our children a safe place to be out and about and to help them make happy hometown memories. Other area groups, businesses and individuals are invited to contribute candy by bringing bags to the DDA office or front desk at City Hall. Donors will be recognized on signage downtown during the event.

At fun times like Halloween nobody likes to be hit by a list of rules, so may we just ask:

Let us know if you want to give out candy so we can arrange – as much as possible — safe, out-of-traffic spots for you.

Get in the spirit with costumes and the traditional “Trick-or-treat” request. Don’t just make it a giveaway of free candy.

Don’t be a piggy wig. Enjoy the little ones, and let them go first.

Maybe you don’t have to go around four and five times.

The only real rules are that giving out tracks or information is only allowed if you give out candy too, and only stores can put their giveaway spots on the sidewalk this year. We need to avoid forcing children into the traffic and there is plenty of room on Main Street.

Making each other scream is allowed and even encouraged.

Press Release from the Better Hometown Office.