It is that time of year again when pint-sized ghosts, goblins and vampires freely walk the streets of Shepherdstown begging for candy, and giant cob webs infest the porches of normally tidy homes. That’s right – it is time for Halloween again.

Shepherdstown will officially hold trick-or-treating for neighborhood children on Monday, Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. At that time, children can go from door to door of any house which leaves their porch light on to collect candy from town residents.

Shepherd University professor and Shepherdstown resident Monica Larson said that she will definitely take her kids trick-or-treating through town this year.

“We’ve done it for the past 15 years and have no intentions of stopping now,” Larson said.

Larson went with her husband and two of her kids as the Blue Man Group last year but wouldn’t spoil the surprise of their costume this time around.

Cpl. James Cummings of the Shepherdstown Police Department said that the officers would be out in full force on Monday to make sure that everyone stays safe this Halloween. Cummings recommended that children wear bright-colored costumes and carry flashlights to make them visible to drivers. The police department is also offering free reflective trick-or-treat bags at the station in Town Hall.

Most of German Street will be closed to traffic, according to Cummings, in order to make things safer for trick-or-treaters. Still, Cummings said that trick-or-treaters and parents should always keep an eye out for traffic. Cummings asked that residents not hesitate to call 911 should an emergency occur.

Halloween festivities are not all taking place on Monday. Before sending their children out trick-or-treating, parents may want to get a haunted history lesson.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, the Phi Alpha Theta history honors society of Shepherd will host the Haunted Halloween tour. The guides for the tour will be in full period garb and will guide residents through some of the creepier parts of Shepherdstown and its past, according to PAT member Marianne Davis.

“The last haunted tour was a great success, but it’s been a while and it’s time for another,” Davis said.

The tour will focus on the many legends and ghost stories of Shepherdstown. Tours will start at 7 p.m. by the yellow house on Shepherd’s campus and will start on the hour and last until 9 p.m. PAT is putting on the event for free, but donations between $1 and $5 are being accepted, according to organizer Heidi Carbaugh.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, the Shepherdstown Men’s Club will host a “Dinner with Dracula and Vampire Ball.” The dinner is collaboration between the men’s club and the Ryan Film Institute. Festivities will include fortune tellers, a costume contest and the “Transylvania Film Fest.” Tickets for the evening are $60 for adults and $40 for students.

The men’s club will also be hosting a haunted house at the War Memorial Building Monday night. The “not-too-scary” haunted house will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. for all ages.

For more information about trick-or-treat around town, call Town Hall at 304-876-2312.