Costumed children by the dozens will descend on the streets of Goodrich and Ortonville on Oct. 31.
Planned holiday festivities begin at 10:30 a.m., as about 900 elementary students from Harvey Swanson and H.T. Burt march through Ortonville in their costumes. The parade is expected to last approximately 30-45 minutes and will conclude with class parties at the schools. Belle Ann Elementary students will have a separate parade, with students marching from the school down Glass Road and then back. The parades are earlier this year, due to a half-day of school.
A fire siren will sound at 6 p.m. in Ortonville to signal the beginning of trick or treating in the village, and will sound again at 7 p.m., when candy gathering ends. Immediately after, the public is invited to the DPW complex on Cedar Street for the annual bonfire, where cider and doughnuts will be provided.
Candy donations are currently being accepted at the village offices, 476 Mill St., to ease the burden on village residents, who are visited by trick-or-treaters from throughout the area. Donations are accepted from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday from now through Oct. 30. Village residents wishing to be placed on the distribution list for candy can call 248-627-4976.
In Goodrich, trick-or-treating is from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in the village, with sirens again designating start and end times. Candy donations are also being accepted by the village council for village residents who will see large numbers of children.
Sealed bags of candy or cash donations with which candy will be purchased can be dropped off at the village office, 7338 S. State Road from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays, and 8 a.m.-noon Friday from now through Oct. 30. Village residents in need of extra candy may call the village offices at 810-636-2570.
The Atlas Township Firefighters Association Halloween Party will be from 6:30-9 p.m., Oct. 31, at the fire hall, 8081 Clarence St., one block south of Main Street. A haunted house will be from 6:30-9 p.m. in the fire hall and a costume contest begins at 8 p.m., for ages 5 and under, 6- to 10-years-old, and 11- to 15-years-old. Free refreshments include popcorn, doughnut holes and fresh cider. Donations are accepted.