Downtown Halloween event to see small changes

Largo Haight hands Matthew Quick, then 1, a sucker during Downtown Trick-or-Treating in 2007. This year's event will take place from 3:30-5 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Largo Haight hands Matthew Quick, then 1, a sucker during Downtown Trick-or-Treating in 2007. This year's event will take place from 3:30-5 p.m. on Oct. 31.

The Downtown Merchants Association once again is hosting Downtown Trick-or-Treating on Halloween, although there will be a few differences for this year's event.

There have been minor adjustments to the route the young ghouls and goblins will be taking in their quest for candy - a move prompted by safety concerns. Rather than having everyone start out at the courthouse, they will be able to start at any business they choose and make their rounds from there.

"Normally we have kids line up to get their bags at the courthouse, and the line would end up winding around the lawn and onto Fourth Street, where we can't close traffic," said Robbie Smith with the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce.

Children also will have to bring their own bags, as they will not be provided this year.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.