By Tammy Real-McKeighan/Fremont Tribune

Little ghouls, goblins and ghosts will haunt downtown Fremont next month.

That's when the annual Halloween Hysteria will take place.

One of many seasonal favorites, the annual event is scheduled from 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in downtown Fremont. The activity is among several Halloween happenings planned throughout the area.

Several merchants along Sixth and Main streets, as well as some on Broad Street and Park Avenue, will pass out treats to area children during Halloween Hysteria.

"It's safe for trick or treating. You can park your car and walk from place to place and see lots of friends," said Leslie Carter, executive director of MainStreet of Fremont.

Several activities are included in the event.

The Fremont Tribune will have costume contest judging starting at 4:30 p.m. in the garage on Second Street between Main Street and Park Avenue. The contest is divided into categories for children ages 0-3; 4-6; and 7-10. There will be two prizes per age group.

Youngsters also can have a free Halloween photograph taken of them from 5-7 p.m. at VW Photography, 250 N. Main St.

Hayrack rides also will be offered, starting near First State Bank at Third and Main streets.

The Fremont Area Art Association will offer free face painting from 5-7 p.m. Cost is $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 12 and younger.

And once again this year, Fremont National Bank will host its free Haunted Bank.

The lobby scene will be based on the movies and artistry of filmmaker Tim Burton, said Patty Hirschman, marketing specialist.

Elements of "The Corpse Bride" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" will be part of the scene.

Visitors then can walk through a band of ghouls trapped in the foggy cemetery and meander through the derelict farm where scarecrows come to life. The scene also will feature a live black dog.

The bank is bringing back a favorite with the Witch Coven.

"In all the years we've had the Haunted Bank, we've always had the coven of witches," Hirschman said. "It's evolved over the years, but it's still the same core group of employees …; and they have their witches' cackle just perfectly developed."

Guests who are hungry might want to think twice about eating at the bank's haunted deli, but they'll be sure to want to visit the Frankenstein scene.

There won't be a Teen Scream this year.

"We found that our timing on Thursday night didn't draw enough of a crowd of teenagers and adults, because it's a work and school night," Hirschman said.

The entire setting at the Haunted Bank is designed to be scarier this year.

That doesn't mean, however, that it won't be child-oriented.

"We are aimed at children ages 12 and younger. Sometimes a parent will need to hold a child, but we do try to make this a family event and parents always come through with the kids," Hirschman said. "Sometimes the parents enjoy it more than the kids."

Hirschman added the event is early enough in the evening so it's not past the bedtimes of young children and it can help get people in the spirit of the season.

Besides Halloween Hysteria several other holiday events are planned. They include:

* Trunk N Treat. Once again this year the Fremont Family YMCA will have this free event during which people decorate the trunks of their cars and children go from vehicle to vehicle getting candy.

The event will take place from 6-7 p.m. Oct. 28 in the YMCA parking lot at 810 N. Lincoln Ave.

Last year about 300 youngsters went through, said Jerry Rinne, executive director.

The YMCA will not have a haunted trail this year.

* Trick or treating at Fremont Mall. As part of another Halloween tradition, area youngsters will have an opportunity to go store to store to get treats.

The free event will run from 4-9 p.m. Oct. 30.

"We think it's a good community event," said Jenna Watt, marketing director. "It's a safe place they can take their kids. It's well-lit and heated."

Store employees also enjoy the activity.

"The people who work on Halloween don't always get to partake so it's a nice way to get the store involved as well," she said.

* Fall festival. Fremont Alliance Church will have a fall festival from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the church at 16th Street and Lincoln Avenue.

The event is free and open to the public and is geared toward elementary age children. There will be free treats, food, inflatables and games for children.

Event coordinator Jeff Rhoads said the festival is designed "to provide people with a safe and free alternative to trick or treating."

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