Officials in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties said they are aware of a need for heightened security and awareness this Halloween.

        Boone County Deputy Administrator John Stanton said that as with any other day, the county's HazMat team, police and fire personnel will be ready to respond to anything.

Four-year-old Aaron Heileman of Delhi laughs at his grandmother, Diane Heileman, also of Delhi, as they try on Halloween masks Thursday at Theatre House in Covington (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        In Campbell County, if trick-or-treaters bring home suspicious candy on Halloween, police can call a hot line about any questionable treats, said Ken Knipper, director of Campbell County Disaster & Emergency Services.

        “If it seems suspicious, don't open it, and don't eat it,” Mr. Knipper said.

        Covington Assistant Police Chief Jim Liles said there will be increased patrols and a general heightened awareness on Halloween night, and the night before. He said he is relying on people to use common sense. And if something doesn't seem right about a piece of candy, “throw it away,” he said.

        Below is a listing of Trick or Treat dates and times and special Halloween celebrations for Northern Kentucky communities. Information was supplied by city officials:
       

Boone County

    Florence: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Florence Mall: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m.
    Boone County: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Burlington: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Hebron: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Richwood: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Union: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Walton: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
       

Campbell County

    Alexandria: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Bellevue: Sunday, Oct. 28, 2-5 p.m.
    Cold Spring: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
    Dayton: Sunday, Oct. 28, 2-5:30 p.m.
    Fort Thomas: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Highland Heights: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Melbourne: Sunday, Oct. 28, 3-5 p.m.
    Newport: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Wilder: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
       

Kenton County

    Covington: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Crescent Springs: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Crestview Hills: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. Goody bags available at city office, 739 Buttermilk Pike, prior to trick-or-treating.
    Edgewood: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Erlanger: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Fort Mitchell: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Fort Wright: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Independence: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Ludlow: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Park Hills: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Taylor Mill: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
    Villa Hills: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
   
       

Halloween events

    Erlanger — A costume parade will depart from Silverlake Park on Kenton Lands Road at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The route will end at the Erlanger Railroad Depot Park on Crescent Avenue. The city's parks and recreation department is sponsoring the event, which will include hayrides, doughnuts, juice, balloon sculpting and face painting at the depot. The Halloween celebration will end at 3:30 p.m.
   
    Edgewood — “Spooky Sunday” will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. for children 12 and younger and their parents at Presidents Park on Dudley Road. Assembly for costume parade, 3:30 p.m. at Hinsdale Elementary on Dudley Road; 4 p.m., parade starts to Presidents Park; 4:30 p.m., costumes judged on the basketball court and strolls through the “haunted forest.”
   
    Dry Ridge — “Lil' Spooks Trick-or-Treat,” from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Dry Ridge Outlet Center off Exit 159 of Interstate 75 south. Children may trick-or-treat at stores with a jack-o'-lantern sign. Prizes will be awarded for best and funniest costumes at 7:30 p.m.
   
    Covington and Erlanger — Mother's Nature, a presenting group, will read the interactive children's participation story “Be Nice to Spiders” at two Kenton County Library locations on Saturday. The storytellers fictionally turn the audience into spiders and encourage singing and dancing. A visit from a live spider will be included. The story will be told at 11 a.m. at the Covington branch on 502 Scott Blvd., and 2 p.m. at the Erlanger Branch on 3130 Dixie Highway.
   
    Newport — The Annual Monsters on Monmouth Halloween Parade including floats and Newport residents starts at 2 p.m. Sunday from A.D. Owens Elementary School on 11th Street. The parade continues north on Monmouth Street, left onto Fourth Street, and turns right on Columbia to the riverfront. A party will follow on the plaza between the Newport Aquarium and Newport on the Levee.
   
   
       

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