Haunts to hit this Halloween
OK, Lawrence doesn’t bear the distinction of having a perfectly spooky Halloween name – like Tombstone, Ariz., Transylvania County, N.C., or Skull Creek township, Ariz.
But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to occupy little ghosts and goblins – and grown-ups, too – on Halloween.
¢ Songs, stories and a costume parade are on the bill for holiday festivities at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. The Halloween Concert & Costume Contest starts at 4:30 p.m., just before downtown trick-or-treating. Admission is $5 per person.
¢ Downtown merchants will greet children with sweet treats and Halloween trinkets beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
¢ Do you believe in ghosts? Or are you a skeptic? The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum will put your beliefs to the test during the Haunted Haskell Tour. The free event runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Tour participants should meet at the Haskell Stadium arch.
Make sure Halloween tricks aren’t treats
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends the following tips for parents to ensure their little “goblins” have a safe and happy Halloween:
¢ Children shouldn’t snack while trick-or-treating, but should wait until their parents have had a chance to inspect their goodies. To keep children from munching, provide a snack or light meal before they head out.
¢ Tell children not to accept, and especially not to eat, anything that isn’t commercially wrapped.
¢ Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
¢ Chocolate, when not kept in a cool dry place, may have a whitish cast, known as “bloom” on the surface. Although it may look unpleasant, bloomed chocolate is fine to eat.
¢ When children bring their treats home, discard any homemade candy or baked goods. Parents of young children also should remove any choking hazards, such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.
¢ If juice or cider is served to children at Halloween parties, make sure it is pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroy harmful bacteria. Juice or cider that has not been treated will say so on the label.