Downtown trick-or-treat moved to Monday; hours established by communities

We have a change in the 2011 Greencastle Halloween trick-or-treat schedule.

The annual downtown Greencastle trick-or-treat event, sponsored annually by Main Street Greencastle, is now scheduled for 4-6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31 on the courthouse square.

Originally announced for Friday, Oct. 28, the event has been changed to coincide with the traditional Oct. 31 Halloween observance, as has always been the case in the past (unless Halloween fell on the weekend).

Organizers say parents appreciate only have to dress up their youngsters one time, and for many small trick-or-treaters, the two-hour block of time downtown is enough fun without having to venture out after dark.

So organizers have agreed to change the date from Friday, Oct. 28 to Monday, Oct. 31.

In order to provide for safer trick-or-treating downtown this year, the Greencastle City Police will employ a uniformed officer to assist in helping trick-or-treaters cross Jackson Street (U.S. 231) at Franklin Street (from the Banner Graphic building to the north side of the square).

On the south side of the square, parking will be restricted in area in front of the boarded-up site of the old Mason's Jewelers store (where access to the sidewalk is cut off). Barricades will be put to separate that area from vehicular traffic on the square and allow youngsters safe passage along that side of the street as well.

Meanwhile, individual Putnam County communities have established trick-or-treat hours for Halloween 2011.

All community trick-or-treat hours limit such activity to the holiday itself on Monday, Oct. 31.

Specified trick-or-treat hours include:

Greencastle -- 5-8 p.m.

Cloverdale -- 6-8 p.m.

Fillmore -- 5-8 p.m.

Bainbridge -- 6-8 p.m.

Roachdale -- 7-9 p.m.

Russellville -- Not yet available.

As is the custom locally, residents welcoming trick-or-treaters to their home are urged to turn on their porch light during the appropriate period. Likewise, revelers are asked to skip homes that do not have their outside light illuminated.

Also, the annual Putnam County Public Library Halloween party has also changed its date to coincide with the downtown merchants trick-or-treat to 4-6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. The library, as usual, will be giving an age-appropriate new book as a treat.

Library party-goers are encouraged to come in costume. Dave Roberts and students from DePauw will be making ice cream and kids will have the opportunity to make "slime" along with other fun activities.