The Newton Halloween Spooktacular will cast its spell on Southside Park the evening of Saturday, October 28. Presented by the Newton Parks and Recreation Department and Downtown Newton Development Association (DNDA), the annual fall festival offers tricks and treats for the whole family.

The fun begins at 4 p.m. at Southside Park, 1775 Southwest Blvd. Amusements for children and adults are planned throughout the park, including costume contests, trunk or treating, haunted hayrides, an inflatable obstacle course, axe throwing, and much more. Spooktacular contests and activities are free to all. A food truck rodeo featuring more than a dozen local and regional food trucks will offer food and drinks for purchase.

The Ghouls and Goblins Costume Contest begins at the Southside Park Amphitheater at 4:30 p.m. There is no fee to enter the contest, but preregistration is encouraged by calling the Newton Recreation Center at (828) 695-4317 before 5 p.m. Oct. 27. Contest participants will be divided into original/homemade and commercial/store-bought categories and will compete in one of several age divisions. Guests are invited to look on as judges review the costumes of participants up to 3 years old at 4:30 p.m., 4 to 7 years old at 5 p.m., 8 to 12 years old at 5:30 p.m., 13 to 17 years old at 6 p.m., and 18 years old and older at 6:30 p.m. Last-minute registration will run from 4 to 6 p.m. the day of the event near the Southside Park Amphitheatre, with registration closing 30 minutes before judging begins each respective age division.

Trick-or-treaters will enjoy a favorite Halloween tradition in a safe environment during the Spooktacular Trunk or Treat. Community organizations and businesses are participating by decorating their trunks and handing out candy and giveaways to the thousands of children expected to attend. To register your business or organization as a trunk-or-treat participant, please contact Newton Main Street Director Mary Yount at myount@newtonnc.gov or (828) 695-4360.

Newton is partnering again this year with the Teal Pumpkin Project, a movement that promotes safety, inclusion, and respect of individuals managing food allergies. When you see a teal pumpkin on display, it means non-food treats, such as glow sticks or small toys, are available for trick-or-treaters with food allergies or other conditions.

A variety of food trucks will offer food and drinks for sale beginning at 4 p.m. Food trucks scheduled to attend include Bam Burgers, Big Daddy Kountry Cooking, Caribbean Sandwich and Pinchos, Chugar Frappe, Riqras de EmpanadaRus, Hotshots Hot Dogs, Ice Cream Time, Kona Ice, Ley Parad-ice, Pooter Pop Kettle Corn, Snacky Snack, Third Eye Coffee, Village Inn Pizza, Wholey Cow, and Whitener’s Concessions.

For more information about Spooktacular, please visit www.downtownnewton.org/spooktacular or call the Newton Recreation Center at (828) 695-4317 or DNDA at (828) 695-4360.