Halloween happenings

**Rhylee Odum carries her pumpkin to place among the competitors in the annual Sikeston Kindergarten Center's Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Gathering their pumpkins in the background are Raylynn Brooks and Z'Mundrae Redd. Sikeston residents can cast their votes on their favorite pumpkin during school hours through Friday morning. The two pumpkins raising the most money will earn the top honors. All the money raised will go to the Kindergarten Center's Parent-Teacher Organization. (Photo by Jill Bock, Staff)

Many trick-or-treat options available Friday

leonnah@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- In addition to the traditional, door-to-door trick-or-treating, local children have several options to fill their buckets with candy this Halloween.

The 19th Annual Community Halloween Trick-or-Treating Bash at the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

"Children are invited to trick-or-treat at every store," said Kyla Evans, marketing manager for the outlet stores. "They don't have to go into the stores to trick-or-treat though."

Stores will have candy available along the sidewalks of the outdoor mall, Evans said.

"It's like a community -- a little neighborhood -- where you can go trick-or-treating from place to place," Evans said.

The stores give out over 1,000 pounds of candy, which the mall owners purchase, Evans noted.

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