A quick list of this week's Halloween events

Even though Halloween isn't until Friday, many of the local activities are taking place earlier in the week.

Plenty of opportunities for free candy are available, too, ranging from trick-or-treat at Richmond Square Mall, along with church trunk-or-treat events.

Various events

Fall/Halloween crafts and snacks, Oct. 28-31, Preble County District Library, 16 N. Main St., West Alexandria, Ohio.

Halloween Fandom Costume Contest, 3:30 p.m., Oct. 28, Preble County District Library, 301 N. Barron St., Eaton. For teens in grades 6-12.

Edible Graveyards & Candy Bar Match-It Game, 4:30 p.m., Oct. 28, Preble County District Library, 150 N. Main St., Eldorado, Ohio. Teens in grades 6-12.

Children's Halloween Party (ages 11 and under), 5:30 p.m., Oct. 28, Preble County District Library, 104 S. Main St., Camden, Ohio. Halloween-themed food and games for the kids.

Edible Graveyards & Candy Bar Match-It Game, 6 p.m., Oct. 28, Preble County District Library, 115 N. Washington St., New Paris, Ohio. For teens in grades 6-12.

Preschool Storytime (Spooky Edition), 6-6:45 p.m., Oct. 28, Centerville-Center Township Public Library, 126 E. Main St., Centerville. Bring your preschoolers (in costume) for this special storytime. Listen to Halloween-themed stories and then Trick or Treat at the desk to get candy.

Howl At The Moon: A Spooky Family Arts Night, 6-9 p.m., Oct. 29, Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave., Oxford, Ohio. A new event hosted by OCAC. Family and community friendly featuring a pumpkin carving contest, live music, animals, and arts and crafts. Free and open to the public

Zombie Prom, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Oct. 30, Centerville-Center Township Public Library, 126 E Main St, Centerville. Hang out and enjoy treats as we stagger the night away. Music and free refreshments will be provided. (For grades 7-12).

Malloween, 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 30, Richmond Square Mall, 3801 National Road E., Richmond. Free bags will be given for trick-or-treating through the mall. For ages 12 and younger. No toy weapons. (765) 966-8456

Trick or Treat, 6-7 p.m. Oct. 30, Heritage House, 2070 Chester Blvd., Richmond. Free. (765) 962-3543

Beggars' Night, 6-7:30 p.m., Oct. 30, town hall, 16 N. Main St., West Alexandria, Ohio. The Kiwanis Halloween parade will line up at 5 p.m. at LCNBank and end at the parking lot across from the Town Hall for the Halloween costume judging and prizes. Hot dog stand proceeds go toward July 4 fireworks.

Trick or Treat, 6-7:30 p.m., Oct. 30, Preble County District Libraries at 150 N. Main St., Eldorado, and 212 S. High St., West Manchester, Ohio. Every kid younger than 12 will get candy and a prize.

Trunk and Treat, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Oct. 30, First Church of the Nazarene, 1600 Chester Blvd., Richmond. Alternative to trick or treat. Free. (765) 962-7215

Trick or Treat at the Shelter, noon-8 p.m. Oct. 31, HELP the Animals, 2101 W. West Main St., Richmond. Candy for trick-or-treaters and treats for pets to take home. (Leave pets at home).

Trunk or Treat, 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31, Centerville United Methodist Church parking lot, 112 S. Morton Ave., Centerville, Ind. Hot dogs, hot chocolate, hot cider, and other food items will be available in the church Fellowship Hall. UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) collection boxes will also be available for anyone who would like to make a donation.

Trunk 'n Treat, 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31, parking lot North of Reid Church on North 11th and B streets. Free. Come in costume. Sponsored by Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church.

Trunk or Treat, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31, Faith-Trinity United Methodist Church, 2900 W. Main St., Richmond. Candy distributed in a safe, warm environment. (765) 935-2035

Halloween Costume Party, Oct. 31, Chuck's Sports Bar, 1500 N. E St., Richmond. Door prizes, costume parade at 10 p.m. and contest with judging from 10:30 to 11 p.m. including cash prizes. DJ.

Concert and costume contest, Oct. 31, Lighthouse Restaurant, 888 E. Washington St., Winchester. Musicians/entertainers Garcia and Scott and a Halloween costume contest. All who come in dressed up receive a free appetizer.

Halloween Party, 9 p.m. Nov. 1, E Street Pub, 815 N. E St., Richmond. Costume contest. Music by national touring act Shotgun Surprise plus Silver from Cambridge, Ohio, and Forgive the Forgotten.

Book or Treat, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 5, United Way, 129 S. Ninth St., Richmond. Turn in your candy and get a book.

Trails, mazes and haunted places

Corn Maze, haunted from 8-11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Eklund's Crazy Acres, 5579 W. County Road 300 N., Connersville, Ind. Haunted maze, $9.50 including light source. Corn maze also open from 1-6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays and 1-7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays for $6 for adults and $4 for ages 5-12. http://cornyfunmaze.com or (765) 679-1655

Lewisburg Haunted Cave, 7 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays in October, 4392 Swisher Mill Road, Lewisburg, Ohio. Adult, $16; child 10 and younger, $5; hayride, $8. http://hauntedcaveatlewisburg.com

Trails of Terror, Fridays and Saturdays in October. 1880 Abington Pike, Richmond. A portion of the proceeds go to autism awareness. (765) 277-9740 or trailofterror@gmail.com.

Realm of Darkness Haunted Trail, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October, 4636 Park Elwood Road, Richmond. $10 per person. Portion of ticket donated to Make A Wish Foundation. If you take 227 North past the 70 overpass you will see a road closed sign but don't let it trick you, the road is open to Park Elwood.

Corn maze, Today's Harvest Produce & Flowers, 5859 State Route 320, New Paris, Ohio. "Family Feud" theme. A one-day entry into the maze is $7. Ages 4 and under are free. The maze is open Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon-8 p.m. weather permitting.

Everton Haunted Community Building, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October. 2484 E. Everton Road, Connersville. Presented by the Everton Volunteer Fire Department. $7. (765) 265-2840

Rusty Acres Haunted Orchard, 8-11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays in October, 6480 South Kidd Road, Connersville. $7. Presented by Connersville FFA. (765) 265-2840

Flight of Fright, Fridays and Saturdays in October at Skyward Adventures, 11071 U.S. 52, Brookville, Ind. Haunted trail, $5; night zip, $20. (765) 547-1947 or skywardadventures.com

Note: Fuzzy's Freakshow is not operating this year in Williamsburg, Ind.

If your group is planning a Halloween or fall event for the public, please send the information to mmartin@pal-item.com as soon as possible.