It’s the time of year when ghosts, monsters, and fairies, superheroes and costumed creatures prowl the local streets in search of treats and goodies.

 

But before Halloween night, the communities of Becker, Clearwater, Monticello, Big Lake, St. Cloud and Elk River are loaded with events that will make the little ones burst with joy or perhaps even give them a little fright.

 

Oh and don’t forget to visit your local pumpkin patches to snatch up the biggest orange squash plant or walk through a corn maze. If you wait long enough, you just might catch a glimpse of the Great Pumpkin...(ahem)...that’s for another time.

 

The BHS Robotics team is hosting their annual Trunk or Treat event at the Becker Furniture World parking lot Oct. 29 from 3- 5 p.m. It’s a safe environment for kids to do trick-or-treating during the day. Businesses and groups decorate the trunk of their cars or truck to hand out candy from. A prize is given to the best decorated trunk, based on the kids’ votes.

 

Oakwood Church is holding their annual Hallelujah Party Oct. 28 from 6-9 p.m at their church. The event features costume dress-up, games for kids, a chili cook-off, a dessert bake-off, candy handed out and loads of fun and fellowship. Members, guests, friends and neighbors are encouraged to attend.

 

Brad Gunderson has been putting on a haunted house for the last 10 years and this year is no exception. Gunderson builds his creation with the help of some friends who volunteer to construct, decorate and play roles inside the haunted house to the delight of visitors. Gunderson holds the event for free, but asks visitors to help by donating a food shelf item to the event. Gunderson’s haunted house is open for one day — SATURDAY, OCT. 22 and the address is 18454 93rd St. SE in Becker.

 

It’s worth the drive “up north” to attend the 12th annual Kids & Parents Expo at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The mission of the expo is to provide parents with information of businesses and products in local communities that will be resourceful for their growing children and family. This year’s event will showcase a “Spooooky Theme” with kiddos dressing up in costume and exhibitors giving out treats,  there will be bounce houses, laser tag, halloween art and more spooky surprises!

 

The St. Cloud State Wind Ensemble and Campus Band invite the St. Cloud community to join them for a program entitled “Halloween Spooktacular” on Thurs., Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in Ritsche Auditorium. Children in costume and their families are invited to pre-concert activities that begin at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of Ritsche Auditorium. Volunteers will be on hand to demonstrate musical instruments, giv

e out Halloween treats and play games. 

 

The children’s portion of the concert will run about 30 minutes and will include music by pop artist Adele, video game music including World of Warcraft and Disney Movie favorites. After a brief intermission, the wind ensemble will perform selections from their upcoming Fall tour including H. Owen Reed’s La Fiesta Mexicana and the Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst.

 

The St. Cloud State Wind Ensemble is a select group of 40 performers, mostly St. Cloud State University music majors led by conductor Catharine Bushman. The SCSU Campus Band is comprised of about 40 musicians from all over campus and in the St. Cloud Community. 

 

Admission is free but donations will be accepted. Please call (320) 308-3223 for more information. A live webcast will be available for those unable to attend in person.

 

Monticello will be holding their annual Halloween Kiddie Parade Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants are asked to line up on Walnut Street between 3rd and 4th Streets and parade in costume to the community center. Then, participants will be guided indoors for trick-or-treating and fun activities. The entire event is FREE!

 

Thurs., Oct. 27, the Monticello Chamber is hosting a downtown trick-or-treat event from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Kids are encouraged to put on their costumes and go trick-or-treating at area downtown businesses on the West side only of Hwy. 25/Broadway. Participation is FREE!

 

Lake Maria State Park is hosting its annual Halloween Howl Oct. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. Participants are welcome to wear costumes. The evening's events include a "Snakes Alive" presentation from 5 to 6 p.m. by naturalist Emily Roberts, who will bring live exotic snakes. No pre-registration is needed for that portion of the event. Crafts and activities geared towards children begin at 6 p.m. and registration is required for those activities. Call Lake Maria at 763-878-2325 to register.

 

For adults, the Friendly Buffalo in Big Lake will be holding a Halloween Bash Oct. 29 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and will feature a live band downstairs (Outside Recess) and a DJ playing top dance hits upstairs all night. The night will be highlighted by a costume contest and no cover charge.

 

At Riverside Church in Big Lake, members will be hosting their ninth annual Great Pumpkin Party Oct. 28 from 5 - 8 p.m. The event is open to all families, friends and neighbors of the church and guarantees lots of fun, play and laughs at the great family event.

 

The downtown area of Elk River will have a trick-or-treat event Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Treats will be offered to kids by area businesses and there will be photo ops at Rivers Edge Commons Park along with games and fun. All participating businesses will have “welcome trick or treater” signs in their windows.

 

An annual Halloween Haunt will be featured at Cedar South/620 and 630 8th Street in Clearwater on Halloween night from dusk until whenever. People participating are asked to bring a food shelf item for donation and be prepared to be scared!

 

The Clearwater Library will be holding their “Spooky Storytime” event from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. where Halloween stories will be read, wicked crafts made and everyone will eat a yummy, healthy snack.

 

Costumes and tricks encouraged and the event is open to children of all ages.

 

Have a spooktacular Halloween!