The City of Douglas is hosting a Halloween Carnival on Friday, October 31, at the former Phelps Dodge Mercantile Building, which now houses the Rec Center.

The event will feature games and candy giveaways. The event will coincide with the Downtown Trick or Treat, sponsored by the Douglas Dispatch and Douglas Chamber of Commerce.

Both events will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

On Halloween, Friday, October 31, G Avenue will be closed (3 to 5 p.m.) due to safety concerns for the young Trick or Treaters. G Avenue will be closed from 8th to 12th Streets.

Those businesses wishing to take part in the annual Downtown Trick of Treat, please contact the Douglas Dispatch at 364-3424.  The business names will be included in an advertisement and story promoting the event, and they will be given an orange Halloween sign, which indicates that they are giving away candy.

The Douglas Dispatch will not be hosting its annual Halloween Spooktacular this year at Castro Park.

“When we discovered the city wanted to provide their own event, we stepped back and support their efforts,” said Larry Blaskey, Editor and Publisher of the Douglas Dispatch.

“Our event was always designed to meet a need. It had been several years since we had a big Halloween event, and we wanted to give the youngsters of Douglas an option. We urge everyone to take advantage of all afternoon activities being held downtown.

“We want to thank the City of Douglas, Ortega Stores, Wal-Mart, Food City, Safeway, Southeast Arizona Medical Center APS, Cochise College and others who helped sponsor the previous Halloween Spooktacular events and make it one of our most successful activities. Last year more than 1,500 kids made it to the Spooktacular.

“Again, thank you for all of your support the last three years.”