Norway – The Norway Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring its third annual Halloween Fest from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27. The event will be held in front of the Norway Memorial Library on Main Street. The fest features a scavenger hunt and trick or treat with 30 businesses participating. Everyone is welcome and all of the activities are free.

The festivities includes crafts, refreshments, games, fortune telling, and pumpkin smoothies. Youngsters also can meet the Cat in the Hat, McGruff, Sparky, Samantha the Skunk, Easter Rabbit, Mr. Pizza and more.

Deb Partridge, director of recreation for Norway, is pleased with the additions to the event, which last year featured only the Cat in the Hat.

“Its a great holiday. Last year we had 22 businesses participate and about 400 people attend. This year, the businesses involved will tape a paper pumpkin to their door to let children and their parents know they are participating. We are trying to continue to build and grow the event. Norway is a four-season destination and this is one of four festivals we hold annually,” Partridge said.

For the brave of heart there will be ghost stories read at 3, 3:30, and 4 p.m. Everyone attending is encouraged to join the Halloween spirit by coming in costume. While children hardly need encouragement for a Halloween event, an additional incentive will be a free personal pan pizza coupon for every child courtesy of Pizza Hut.

Participating local businesses stand to benefit from public exposure while enjoying the holiday spirit. Chris Sharey, owner of Western Auto, a retail store that sells and repairs appliances, has participated every year since the event’s inception.

He believes that the event is good advertising from a businesses perspective in addition to being fun. “We’ve seen it grow. The number of kids has grown phenomenally each year. It’s not necessarily a big business day, but it can bring in business in the future. Plus, the kids are great: they come in all dressed up hoping for a treat,” Sharey said.

A Halloween concert caps off the event at Fare Share Commons featuring “Freakwitch.”

The rest of October has other events being offered in Oxford Hills open to children and adults alike.

• On the 27th, the First Universalist Church is holding an open mic night Halloween bash. Performers sign up at 6:30 p.m. and the open mic is at 7. Donations are $3.

• On Oct. 28, a Halloween party to benefit UNICEF will be held at the second Congregational Church in Norway from 5 to 8 p.m. $3 per ticket.

• Andover’s 2nd annual Halloween Walk Through the Woods is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21. Tickets will be on sale by 6 p.m. at front of Andover Automotive and Andover Supply. It cost $2 per walker, ages 4 and up. Proceeds benefit the Andover School fifth grade class end-of-the-year field trip in June 2007.

• McLaughlin’s Garden in South Paris is hosting a Witches-Brew high tea at 3 and 4 p.m. on Oct. 28. Tickets are $15 for grown ghouls and $8 for goblins under 12.

• The Norway Rehabilitation Center is having a Community Trick or Treat and Haunted House between 6 and 7 p.m. on Halloween night, Oct. 31. It is located at 29 Marion Ave. and tickets are $3 for children and $5 for adults.