As the official day of haunting approaches, area children will have a multitude of opportunities to fill goodie bags.

The first is theFlorala’s Kiwanis Club of the Tri Cities “Fun in the Park” on Thurs., Oct. 27, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Lockhart’s Long Leaf Pine Park.

There are 14 local churches and organizations sponsoring this event, each with booths featuring games and treats for children of all ages.

“This is a great alternative from the regular house-to-house trick-or-treating,” said Kiwanian Deborah Stokes. “There will be a costume contest. The categories will be newborn to second grade, third to sixth grade, seventh to 12th grade – with cash prizes awarded.”

Stokes said a first place win will earn someone $20; second place, $15; and third, $10. There will also be a carved pumpkin contest, she said.

“Carve your pumpkin, and please put your name on the bottom, and bring it along with you,” she said. “The prizes are the same as the costume contest.”

Admission is a donation of one can of food per person. This food will be donated to the local food bank.

On Halloween night, area children will have two chances, one in Andalusia and another in Opp.

In Andalusia, the city will host its annual “Halloween on the Square” from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. with area merchants distributing candy on the Court Square and entertainment by the Just-N-Tyme band. This event is open to youth ages 12 and under. A separate trick-or-treat station will be set up near the bandstand for teens and adults.

Opp’s fall festival will begin at 5:30 p.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m. with free candy, popcorn, cotton candy, games, costume contest and fun for all, said Debi Richburg of the Opp Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s going to kind of be like a block party,” Richburg said. “We’ve gotten our new streets done, and we want to show them off.”

Police will block West Covington Avenue for the celebration, she said.

“They’re also going to block it at Main Street, so come down in from of all the barber shops, and come see us,” she said.

Costume and pumpkin decorating contests will also be held, with trophies going to the three winners.

Richburg said there is still time to host a booth at the event. For more information, contact her at 334-488-3555.