Area alternatives to trick-or-treating
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 
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GRAND HAVEN
Halloween Family Dance Party, 6-10 p.m. Friday at the Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus Ave. Admission is $5 per person (children age 3 and under are free). It will include a costume contest for kids and adults, games, and goodies for kids age 10 and under. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The costume contest will begin at 7 p.m. for ages 12 and under, 8 p.m. for ages 13 and older, and at 8:30 p.m. for the family contest.
Scary Business in downtown Grand Haven on Saturday. From noon to 3 p.m., families can enjoy hayrides through the downtown. The Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority will be supplying pumpkins to be painted by area children to keep from 1-3 p.m., or until supplies run out. At 4 p.m., the downtown streets will be closed for families to visit the downtown merchants for safe and family-friendly trick or treating. Participating stores will be handing out candy. Some downtown businesses will also be hosting their own Halloween events during the day.
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SPRING LAKE
Halloween magic show will take place at Spring Lake District Library, 123 E. Exchange St., at 1 p.m. Saturday. Magician Renee Hudson will entertain the audience with magic and comedy routines. Children are invited to wear their costumes or come as they are. Kids age 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Village staff will pass out treats from 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Village Hall, 102 W. Exchange St. Local merchants who are passing out treats during the same time will be identified by pumpkin posters in their storefront windows. Trick-or-treating in residential neighborhoods is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Saturday.
CROCKERY TOWNSHIP
Halloween Party and Carnival, 6-8 p.m. Saturday, for ages 1-12 at the Crockery Township Hall, 17431 112th Ave. in Nunica. Admission is two bags of wrapped candy per family. Adults must stay at the event with their children. There will be games, a cake walk, prizes and refreshments.
FERRYSBURG
Monster's Ball, 6-8 p.m. Friday, at the former Ferrysburg Elementary School, 17290 Roosevelt Road. Admission is free, but everyone is encouraged to wear a costume. Dance Tracks will provide music and there will be prizes for the best costumes. Kids under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Cider and donuts will be provided.
HOLLAND TOWNSHIP
Doggie Howl-O-Ween Party, 6-9 p.m. Friday, at 3225 132nd Ave. This family dog party is a benefit for the Harbor Humane Society. Bring in a donation for the animal shelter, cash or supplies, to receive a goodie bag. The costume contest will begin at 7 p.m.
CANDY BUY-BACK
Dr. Darren Riopelle's office, 1203 S. Beechtree St., will be buying candy from trick-or-treaters at $1 per pound from 1-3 p.m. Sunday to promote dental heath. The candy must be unopened. Riopelle said it will be shipped to troops overseas. The dentist is also giving away electric glowing toothbrushes.
SAFETY TIPS FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Department has the following tips to keep kids safe while enjoying Halloween trick-or-treating on Saturday:
— Never allow your children to enter a house without your permission.
— Children should wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight or glowstick so they are visible at all times.
— Masks should allow kids to see and be seen properly.
— Stay on sidewalks and bike paths where they are available, and look both ways before crossing streets.
— Make sure candy hasn't been tampered with before eating it.
On the Net:
More Halloween safety tips at Ottawa County's Web site, http://miottawa.org
