Liam Wilson, 3, straightens a stuffed fake parrot on his shoulder at the arts center.

Averill Hollond, 3, a preschooler at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., tries to scare classmates Thursday with the help of Megan Hay, a teacher dressed like the Cat in the Hat.

Plenty of Halloween activities for people of all ages will be happening this evening.

The city of Lawrence invites boys and “ghouls” to fill their goodie bags while trick-or-treating between 6:30 p.m. and

8:30 p.m.

The Parks and Recreation Department encourages local residents who want to give out treats to leave porch lights on.

For an earlier start, the Downtown Lawrence Halloween Trick-or-Treat begins at 5 p.m. Downtown merchants will greet children with treats and Halloween trinkets.

There are plenty of other treats and frights to delight all ages for the Halloween holiday. Take your pick, if you dare, from among these events:

¢ Children’s Halloween Concert and Costume contest, 4:15 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., $5, all ages, This year’s concert will feature Arts Center regulars Ric Averill, Jennifer Glenn, a special appearance by Jeanne Averill and Lawrence’s own minstrel Steve Mason. There will be a costume parade for all audience members. Costumes will be judged. All “grand prizes” are donated by the show’s sponsor, Fun and Games.

¢ Haunted Halloween Open House Celebration, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., free, all ages, 1709 Bullene. Spooky open house to celebrate the Lawrence Community Housing Trust’s 30th house in three years.

¢ Trunk or Treat, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 2295 N. 1300 Road, Eudora. Family of Faith will host its annual event and will raffle a 32-inch LCD HD TV and an Xbox 360. Food, drinks, treats and games will be provided.

¢ “Haunted Haskell Tours,” 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. $5, 13 years old and up. Haskell Indian Nations University will be hosting an “after-hours” flashlight walking tour of Haskell’s notoriously haunted buildings. A guide will lead people through campus buildings with a number of stories detailing the untold haunted history of Haskell. Haskell was founded in 1884 as an industrial training school for American Indian children. The tour begins at Haskell Cultural Center and Museum at the corner of Barker and Indian avenues.

¢ During Christal K-9’s treat giveaway, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 3115 W. Sixth St., owner Liz Devin and staff will give away treat bags for children, dogs and cats. Parents will receive a coupon for free services, such as half-day canine sitting.