Little skeletons, ghosts and witches will fill the Decatur County Family YMCA this week when they celebrate the upcoming holiday and take part in the organization’s annual Halloween Carnival.

From 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 17, families are invited to the local YMCA for games, food and entertainment. Events include a Bounce House sponsored by Cricket Ridge Family Restaurant, free t-shirts sponsored by WTRE to the first 200 to arrive, a costume contest sponsored by Arbor Grove Village, hay rides, games, arts and crafts, face painting and free pizza donated by Papa Murphy’s. According to event organizer and YMCA program coordinator Amy Klene, the carnival will take place inside the YMCA, excluding the outdoor hay ride.

All over the country, local YMCAs hold Halloween themed events, and the carnival has become a yearly tradition for the Decatur County community.

“The entire thing is free to the public,” Klene explained. “Members and non-members are welcome.”

The costume contest will be divided up into several different categories, each with its own prize. Klene noted that the carnival is geared toward the 12-year-old and under crowd, though there will be a masquerade ball for sixth, seventh and eighth graders beginning at 7:30 p.m. and ending at 10. Admission for the dance is $3 for a member and $5 for a non-member.

Each year, the carnival has expanded and garnered more attention, and Klene said she expects the event to be much bigger than last year’s.

The Decatur County Family YMCA is located at 1301 Kathy’s Way.