By Beth Alston

AMERICUS — It’s that time of year again. The annual tradition of the Kiwanis Pet Parade and Downtown Trick or Treat is coming up from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. These events are for children in sixth grade and younger.
Registration for the Pet Parade, hosted by the Americus Kiwanis Club, starts at 3:30 p.m. in the same place as always: on South Jackson Street, in front of First Presbyterian Church. There is no registration fee, but the Kiwanis Club is soliciting pet supply donations for the Sumter Humane Society. Monetary donations will also be accepted, but pet food is preferred.
Contestants in the parade can register in several categories and prizes will be awarded. The Pet Parade lineup is right in front of the church and the route is as usual: up Jackson Street, turn left onto Forsyth and continue to Cotton Avenue, turning left onto Lamar Street and dispersing near the church. For more information on the Pet Parade, call Charlene Pennymon at 229-928-6487.
This year, Downtown Trick or Treat has changed a little. It will originate at 5 p.m. from Lenny’s Market, at 110 N. Hampton St., downtown. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and must have on a costume. Children are required to wear a wristband in order to receive treats from the vendors. The wristbands can be picked up at the Americus Times-Recorder’s booth at Lenny’s Market beginning at 4:30 p.m. The newspaper will be giving out trick or treat bags containing candy while supplies last. Free face painting will also be available for children.
After trick or treat ends, Zombie Zumba will be held from 7-7:30 p.m. in Rylander Park with Krystle Hannibal as instructor. The public is invited, free of charge.
Businesses can participate by setting up a booth at Lenny’s Market and giving out Halloween candy there, bydonating candy for the event, or by donating cash. Please make checks payable to Friends of Downtown Americus Inc. For more information contact Patrick Kay, Americus Main Street director, at 229-924-4411, ext. 235 or pkay@americusga.gov