Since the holiday falls on a Saturday this year, the town of Abita Springs is doing it up big for Halloween, and it is looking for help from the community to make this year’s event “spooktacular.”

Clerk of Court Kathy Armand is heading up the festivities, which will take place from 5-9 p.m. Halloween night. She said her goal is to create a fun, not scary, atmosphere for local families.

In years past the town has sponsored a Halloween block party on the street outside Town Hall, but this year the party will be moved to the field across the street to make room for more fun and games. But one thing will not change. The event will remain free and open to the public.

As usual, Fire District 8 will being providing hot dogs and chili, and the local senior citizens group will provide candy, cookies and punch for the children.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will have its command center on hand and will provide goodie bags for the children in attendance.

Armand said this year’s event will be “bigger than ever,” and her goal is to fill up the field with things to do on Halloween night, making Town Hall a definite stop on everyone’s trick-or-treat map.

She has already received promises from some local businesses to participate by providing games and crafts, including a 6-foot long sucker train, balloons and a blow-up obstacle course.

She is looking for other businesses to sponsor games and crafts. She is also seeking donations to use to purchase prizes.

Armand said this year the town will sponsor a pumpkin-carving contest for local children. The carved pumpkins can be brought to Town Hall starting Wednesday.

Armand is also seeking out an artist to create a cardboard trick-or-treat village to use when handing out candy at the event.