Ghosts frolic at 16 Main Street to prepare for “Halloween in Madison” (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON – On the ghoulish date of Oct. 31, Main Street in downtown Madison and the Village Shoppes of Madison on County Line Road will be the places to be (scared) during “Halloween in Madison.”

From 5 to 7 p.m., parents can bring their children and others can join the downtown fun for festivities that will include a costume parade, games, a haunted tunnel and trick-or-treating on Main Street, city event and volunteer coordinator Gayle Milam said.

“Now in its third year, this event is sponsored by the City of Madison, Madison Chamber of Commerce and some Madison businesses,” Milam said. Parking will available in the Martin Street lots, south of Bandito Burrito.

All activities are free.

“This year, a second location has been added,” Milam said. “‘Halloween at the Village Shoppes of Madison’ at 12070 County Line Road will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Milam said.

“This Halloween party on County Line Road will be a free, family-fun event where the children in our community will have the opportunity to enjoy Halloween activities and trick-or-treat adventures, Milam said .”

For the costume contests, registration will run from 5 p.m. through 6:15 p.m., and the costume parades will start at 6:30 p.m. Downtown, participants can register at the intersection of Wise and Main streets. On County Line Road, contestants can register at the Grounded Coffee table.

Milam encourages downtown and Village Shoppes of Madison merchants to “hand and out your treat of choice, have a game for the children to play or have a photo booth or contest” for children.

To have a booth, business owners should contact Milam with their needed space, need for electricity and planned activities.

For more information, call Milam at 256-772-9300 or email to gayle.milam@madisonal.gov.