KIDS HAUNT MALL FOR SAFETY'S SAKE

For trick-or-treating and Halloween party fun that's safe and free, two parties are planned Saturday.

West Park Mall's annual Safe Halloween Party will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Center Court with registration for a costume parade and contest.

An old-fashioned Halloween party, open to children ages 2-10, is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County Medical Association Auxiliary. The party will be held from 2-4 p.m. at the Centenary Methodist Church's Family Life Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Karie Hall, assistant manager at the mall, said: "In the past we have had several hundred people. Since Halloween is on Saturday, we're prepared for more than in the past."

But she said it's hard to estimate how many people will attend.

Activities begin at 5:30 p.m. with registration for the costume parade and contest. The contest begins at 6:30 p.m. with a parade through the mall and judging in age categories.

West Park Mall gift certificates will be awarded to winners at 7 p.m. Trick-or-treating will take place throughout the mall from 7-8 p.m.

Mall merchants distributing candy or treats will have a symbol in their window designating them as a treat stop.

To help set the mood, Halloween music will be piped through the mall.

"This was started as a safe alternative to trick-or-treating," Hall said. "The whole family can participate. It was something we wanted to do for the community. We've had such a good response, each year it's bigger and bigger."

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Chris Sheets, along with Patty Pyeatte and Robin Williams, are coordinating the medical auxiliary's event.

"We wanted an old-fashioned Halloween party where kids come, play and have a good time," Sheets said. "We are so excited about this. We've been talking about this for two years."

Sheets said they have planned for 500 children. "If we don't have 500 kids, the kids who are here will just get that much more to take home," she said.

"This is a `fun-raiser,' not a fund-raiser," she said. "We're not trying to make money. We don't even care if we break even. We just want the kids to have a good time."

Admission is free. Children will receive a homemade treat. Arts and crafts, storytelling, a magician, a fortune-teller, costume judging, and a haunted house called "Gallery of Gross" are all free.

"We don't intend for anybody to be really scared. We want them all to have fun," said Sheets.

Sheets said games will be available at a cost of 25 cents to 75 cents. Everyone who plays will receive a prize.

"We have sent flyers to all the elementary schools and to many stores," Sheets said.

"We are really hoping to target kids who don't have a Halloween party to attend. They can come with $2 and play games all afternoon, or even come with no money and still have lots of things to take home."

Children are encouraged to attend the party in costume. "Since it's over at 4 p.m., they will be ready for trick-or-treating," Sheets said.

For more information call 651-3360.

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On Halloween night radio station KRCU 90.9 FM will present a holiday program, Haunted Concert Hall, from 7-10.

Frightfully delightful works include Bach's "Taccata and Fugue in D Minor;" Grieg's "Hall of the Mountain King;" "Simphonie Fantastique" by Berloiz; "MacBeth and the Witches" by Smetana; and Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain."

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The annual Halloween party and Downtown Spook Walk will be held tonight.

Five downtown businesses Broussards, Port Cape, Griffins, Billiards Center and Jerimiahs are sponsoring the event. Costume judging will take place at each place from 7-10:45 p.m.

Participants will then meet at the courthouse steps at 11 p.m. to turn in score cards for prizes.

First prize is $150 and second prize is dinner for two at each of the participating businesses.