Huntsville’s young trick-or-treaters have a special treat to look forward to on Oct. 31, one which their parents won’t have to worry about — the annual Scare on the Square.

The event will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. in the downtown area, and admission is free for all who attend.

According to Star Ramirez, the Huntsville Main Street Program intern planning the event, area youngsters will have more than 20 booths of activities sponsored by local organizations to visit, not to mention a great deal of sweets.

“The Scare on the Square is going to be a really incredible event this year,” Ramirez said Wednesday. “So far, we have about 20 booths that are going to be coming from all kinds of Sam Houston State University and city organizations, and they’re mainly going to be doing activities for kids to enjoy.”

Ramirez said children will have the opportunity to participate in face painting, a spider toss, a beanbag toss, a prize wheel activity and other games at the Halloween event.

“The Stardust Room is going to be dunking apples, and we’re also going to have free pizza from Mr. Gatti’s and free drinks from The Huntsville Item while supplies last,” Ramirez said. “The YMCA will also be doing a moonwalk for the kids, and most importantly, everyone will be handing out lots of candy. That’s what the kids really want.”

At 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., the children who attend Scare on the Square will also be invited to participate in costume contests.

“We’ll have two costume contests for the kids, so youngsters should definitely think about coming to the event in a unique Halloween costume,” Ramirez said. “We’re going to be giving out prizes for our first and second place winners, but we don’t know what the prizes will be yet, so the kids will have to be surprised.”

In addition to organizations including the SHSU chapters of Beta Alpha Psi, Alpha Kappa Psi and Phi Sigma Pi, the Boys and Girls Club of Walker County, the Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter and the SHSU Political Science Junior Fellows will also participate in the event.

“Rita B. Huff will be bringing puppies for the kids to play with at the event, so that will be something different for kids to do once they’ve gone through a lot of other activities,” Ramirez said. “The Sam Houston State Park will also be coming like they do each year with a special display.”

Parents who plan to bring their children to the Scare on the Square event are advised to stay with their children while in the downtown area.

“This is definitely meant to be a fun and wholesome event for our children, but we do need all parents to stay with their kids while at this event,” Ramirez said.

For more information, contact the Huntsville Main Street office at (936) 291-5920.