It’s almost Halloween, which means it’s almost time for kiddos across the country to dress up in costumes and walk door to door in search of sweets.
Neighborhoods all across Northern Kentucky are hosting candy-collecting celebrations; from classic trick or treating on Oct. 31 to trunk or treat, costume parades and other Halloween traditions, there’s plenty of spooky fun happening across the region.
In preparation for the holiday, we gathered some safety advice for kiddos and parents alike, plus a list of local trick-or-treat times and other Halloween activities.
How to keep trick-or-treaters safe
The biggest piece of advice officials offer is: trick or treaters need to see and be seen.
For example, the American Red Cross suggests kids wear face paint instead of masks as part of their costumes because masks can block their vision, making it harder for them to see cars, other people or anything else they may run into.
“Kids get pretty excited about going house to house for candy and can sometimes forget to keep an eye out for traffic,” Bellevue Police Chief Jon McClain told LINK nky.
McClain suggests parents keep a close eye on their trick-or-treaters, and he encourages drivers to be extra vigilant. The Red Cross recommends kids travel with flashlights, wear light-colored clothing and have some sort of reflective material on their costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
To help create the safest environment possible for Halloween night, “Do your best to ensure that you have a clear and safe walkway to your home or business for the children to get to your door,” said McClain. The Red Cross recommends residents sweep leaves and clear walkways of any obstructions to avoid falls.
For the trick part of the evening, McClain recommends, “Residents and business owners should also make sure to report any suspicious behavior.” He said his officers will be patrolling the roads and chatting with families during the evening to make sure everyone is safe.
While McClain said his department understands there are harmless pranks that can be resolved by a talk with a parent or guardian, he said, “Acts such as vandalism and harassment will not be tolerated. These acts will more than likely result in juvenile criminal charges.”
Finally, McClain wanted trick-or-treaters to note that “Skittles and Nerds are dangerous, and those should be turned in to the chief of police.”
NKY trick-or-treat times
Boone
- Florence 6-8 p.m.
- Union 6-8 p.m.
- Walton 6-8 p.m.
Campbell
- Alexandria 6-8 p.m.
- Bellevue 6-8 p.m.
- California 6-8 p.m.
- Cold Spring 6-8 p.m.
- Dayton 6-8 p.m.
- Fort Thomas 6-8 p.m.
- Highland Heights 6-7:30 p.m.
- Newport 6-8 p.m.
- Silver Grove 6-8 p.m.
- Southgate 5:30-7:30
- Wilder 6-8 p.m.
Kenton
- Covington 6-8 p.m.
- Crescent Springs 6-8 p.m.
- Crestview Hills 6-8 p.m.
- Edgewood 6-8 p.m.
- Elsmere 6-8 p.m.
- Fort Mitchell 6-8 p.m.
- Fort Wright 6-8 p.m.
- Independence 6-8 p.m.
- Ludlow 6-8 p.m.
- Park Hills 6-8 p.m.
- Taylor Mill 6-8 p.m.
- Villa Hills 6-8 p.m.
Trunk or treat and other family-friendly Halloween events
Campbell County Library – Curbside Trick-or-Treat
This all-ages event at the Newport, Fort Thomas and Cold Spring branches of the Campell County Library is “all-treats, no-tricks fun.” Visitors can check out different stations to get candy and prizes. Costumes are encouraged, and The Book Bus will be at a “mystery location for you to stop by and pick out a free book.” The event is free and set for Oct. 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Kiddos can show off their costume during Park Hills’ Pumpkin Parade and hayride. Parents and kids gather at Devu Park for a spooky walk around town. Free apple cider and donuts will be passed around, and residents are encouraged to cheer on the parade. The parade starts Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. on Park Drive near the entrance to Devou Park. Hayrides start at 4 p.m. in the church’s parking lot by Trolley Park.
Fourth Annual Kenton County Library Trunk-or-Treat
Trick-or-treaters can collect candy from the parking lot of the Kenton County Library Durr Branch. Costumes are encouraged, and a prize will be awarded for the best-decorated trunk. Registration is required for trunks but not for trick-or-treating. Join in on the fun on Oct. 24 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Halloween Night Out – “Nightmare at the Ballpark”
Head over to Thomas More Stadium, home of the Florence Y’alls, for this free “spooktacular, family-friendly event” on Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Walk amongst 300 carved pumpkins at Tower Park in Fort Thomas. Start at the Tower Park basketball courts to check out the rows of pumpkins and a “light show that will get you into the Halloween spirit.” To participate, either carve a pumpkin and enter it into a contest or volunteer to carve display pumpkins. Follow the link for more information. The walk is set for Oct. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m.
If you’re looking to promote a Halloween event and/or find local happenings near you, visit our events calendar.