At 5:30 today, festivities will begin in the Ironton City Building downtown when the doors slowly creak open and the lights go dim.

Monday, October 25, 1999

At 5:30 today, festivities will begin in the Ironton City Building downtown when the doors slowly creak open and the lights go dim.

A spooky decor and atmosphere will fill the main floor as the Ironton Business Association kicks off the annual Safe Trick-Or-Treat celebration, giving the little witches and warlocks a chance at grabbing some free candy.

The upside? Adults don’t have to be afraid, IBA co-president Lou Pyles said.

"This is for the children of the community. They are there for the fun and for the candy, too," she said. "But, it’s also a place where the parents can bring their children and not have to worry about getting candy that’s been tampered with."

Not only can trick-or-treaters stock up on dessert, but they can grab hold of a dinner favorite, too, with free pizza provided by Papa John’s Pizza of Ironton, Mrs. Pyles said.

And once they’ve made the rounds in the city building, a few other businesses might be keeping their doors open, stocked and ready with treats to avoid tricks, she added.

This year, participants and sponsors inside the city building are:

– Ironton Business Association

– Papa John’s Pizza

– The Ironton Tribune

–  Lou’s Style Shop

– Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary

– Marvin Black

– Little Chicago Deli

– Ironton News Stand

–  Cherished Creations

– River Valley Health System

–  Lawrence County Foster Grandparents’ program

–  Desco Credit Union

– Ironton Physical Therapy

And, outside businesses participating include, but are not necessarily limited to:

– Scherer Mountain Insurance

– Staley’s Pharmacy

"Not all the businesses who keep their doors open call us and let us know," Mrs. Pyles explained. "But several of them usually participate so we hope to have a good turnout for the kids."

Once the goblins gobble up all the candy available, the annual Halloween parade sponsored by the Ironton Kiwanis Club will be in full swing. Anyone with a costume is eligible to enter and compete for cash prizes in several categories.

City building doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The parade will begin lineup at 6:30 p.m. and the first ghoul should begin to march at about 7 p.m.