Patriots Park has food drive, safe treats

Ghosts, pirates and princesses will help feed needy families Thursday while getting an early start on Halloween.

From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the county will hold its annual Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat event at Patriots Park. Admission is free except that a donation of a canned good for local food banks is required from each child.

The gym at Patriots Park will be filled with dozens of area businesses and other vendors passing out candy and other goodies, and prizes will be awarded to children with the best costumes.

"It's a safe trick-or-treating event," said Brooke Willis, the community events specialist for the Columbia County Community and Leisure Services department. In years past, the event has drawn as many as 3,000 children.

The event features free ice cream and hot dogs for children. Prizes include backpacks, flyings discs and bike helmets. There also will be children's games and arts and crafts at the event, Willis said.

The county is still looking for vendors and sponsors to pass out candy to children. For more information, contact Community and Leisure Services at (706) 312-7194 or visit the county's Web site, www.columbiacountyga.gov.