Daytime trick-or-treating planned at Sikeston center

Standard Democrat

SIKESTON -- To youngsters, Halloween is typically a night devoted to gathering goodies -- in excess. Yet with concerns about safety, parents are becoming increasingly cautious about participating in the holiday.

Hunter Acres Caring Center is offering copious amounts of candy along with a safe location during Haunted Carnival from 10-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 31.

Although invitations have been sent to kindergartens and day cares, the free event at the nursing home is for any child under 10.

"We've had evening trick-or-treating here for quite some time on Halloween, but some parents don't feel it's safe for children to be out that night so we decided this year to have it during the day," said Kay Hanks, activities director at Hunter Acres. "This will be safer and parents can feel better knowing the candy we'll be giving out will be perfectly fine -- it will all be pre-packaged."

Conducted in the facility's large dining room, the carnival will give children a chance to visit a variety of booths. They can bob for apples hanging from trees, have their faces painted, decorate mini pumpkins, play Pin the Wart on the Witch, make skeletons; take part in fortune telling or a ghost game, enjoy refreshments and much more.

Special guests include Patti the Gorilla, a Cookie Monster handing out individually wrapped cookies, and the Headless Man.