THOUSANDS FLOCK TO HALLOWEEN AT THE MALL

While Linus waited in the pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin to appear, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Lucy collected candy at the West Park Mall Halloween night.

More than 2,500 children dressed in costumes and an equal number of adults tagged along for the 5th annual trick or treating event sponsored by mall merchants and radio station KYRX Mix 104.7 FM.

The activity began when the radio station was looking for a way to make the holiday safer, said Rick Lambert, general manager for Mix 104.7 FM.

Almost every store passed out candy to the children, many of whom also entered a costume contest.

Some children dressed as fruit or vegetables -- strawberries, pumpkins and ears of corn were popular -- while others chose the traditional witch, pirate and clown costumes.

The Brennecke family had a hard time finding costumes that came in sets of three for their children Logan, Jaron and Mason.

Eventually they decided on a set of silverware. Logan dressed as a knife, Jaron as the fork and Mason donned a cardboard spoon.

"We've seen a lot of cute costumes," said Tobacco Lane Manager Ralph Sharp, who dressed as a Viking to hand out candy at his store. "The younger kids tend to be scared but we enjoy getting in the spirit of things."

Alexis Woods, 5, must have hoped her pair of dice costume would bring her better luck in her search for treats. Her sister Allison, 3, dressed as a Dalmatian.

Children from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois came to the mall for the two-hour trick or treating festivities.

"Our company decided this is the safest place to be," said Jim Govro, general manager at West Park Mall, adding that many of the parents also are mall patrons.

An employee at Carimar said the store bought about 15 pounds of candy, even though the mall donated about 800 pieces of candy to the stores.

Although throngs of children paraded around the mall, some chose to stick with tradition and go door to door for treats. But many area towns set trick or treating hours for the children.

In Marble Hill, children had to be home by 9:30 p.m. In Scott City the curfew was set at 11 p.m. Oran and Chaffee allowed children to go trick or treating until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

And some children decided to break with tradition altogether. About 300 children and adults attended a Family Fall Festival at Lynwood Baptist Church.

"We wanted to send a more positive message about this time of year," said Debbie Caywood, a church member. "It's not about celebrating ghosts and witches but about family."

This was the first year for the fall festival, which included a hayride, games and prizes, said Melanie Zinn, event coordinator.

At St. Mary's Cathedral Grade School, about 150 students spent the holiday at a carnival in the gymnasium.

"It's a good place for the kids to go," said Lisa Simmons, who planned the event along with her husband Mike.

All Saints Day, a holy day for the Catholic Church, is today so the costume contests incorporated both Halloween and the Holy Day, Simmons said.

First-place contest winners at West Park Mall were Bruce Ulrich and family of Illinois, group; Charles Kent of Cape Girardeau, age 13 and older; and Ian Priola of Cape Girardeau, age 12 and under.

Second-place winners were Denny and Amy Stockard of Cape Girardeau, group; Bill Myers of Jackson, age 13 and over; and Nicholas Baker of Cape Girardeau, age 12 and under.

Third-place winners were April Harris of Burfordville, group; Richie Nenninger of Burfordville, age 13 and over; and Alexandra Dennis of Chaffee, age 12 and under.