Hi-Line Living: Halloween Hits Havre

Today, the town will be be infested with ghouls, goblins, monsters, probably a couple of guys dressed as hotdogs or condiments, and many other horrors as children go out trick-or-treating and taking part in the numerous activities of the day — and adult children visit the bar at night.

One of the activities the kids could have or can take part in is the Highland Park Early Primary School Carnival, scheduled throughout their school day. At the carnival, they will be able to participate in many games and activities, and, of course, begin their day’s loot of candy.

Lincoln-McKinley Primary School will also be celebrating the holiday with their Pumpkin Relay at 2 p.m. to encourage health and fitness during the sugar-saturated festivities of the day.

For college students, Montana State University-Northern will be hosting its annual Halloween party at 5:30 p.m. and the Halloween Dance at 9 p.m. in the Student Union Building. Northern students also spent time at the Community Center in Student Family Housing on campus Thursday.

There will also be trick-or-treating at the Atrium Mall from 3 to 5 p.m. today and the ever-popular Trick or Treat Parade at Holiday Village Mall. Kids can go from store to store trick-or-treating indoors in lieu of, or before, trick-or-treating on the town. Radioshack at the Holiday Village Mall will have games and treats inside the store, and, if one chooses to have their photo taken, a costume contest for which they take photos of kids, put them on Facebook and people can vote on the costume they like the best. The winner will receive a prize.

Thursday, five Montana State University-Northern Student Ambassadors visited Timber Creek Village to carve pumpkins with residents at the senior living center.

“The senior band played music while they did it,” Shauna Albrecht of Timber Creek said. “It was just a fun afternoon getting ready for the holiday season.”

For Halloween, the staff of Timber Creek is going to dress up and invite trick-or-treaters to come out from 6 to around 8 p.m. to haunt the halls for candy.

“We would love to have any trick-or-treaters come out to the building that are interested,” Albrecht said.

The Havre Police Department offers a handy acronym to help kids and parents have a safe Halloween, called SAFE HALLOWEEN.

S: Swords, knives and other costume acessories should be short, soft and flexible.

A: Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

F: Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you

E: Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

H: Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always walk and don’t run from house to house

A: Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

L: Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

L: Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

O: Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

W: Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.

E: Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

E: Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.

N: Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

The police department also wants to remind people to stop by the police department for a treat.

For older crowds, the bars will be hosting their own festivities. Cheeseboot, Northside Water and the “Sad Man Comedy” of James Carden will all be putting on a free show at Bullhook Bottoms at 10 p.m. and the Golden Spike will be throwing its costume contest and party.

There is certainly a full schedule of events planned for the day and children of all ages, ladies and gentlemen will be able to enjoy a spooktacular and, hopefully safe, Halloween night.