Halloween is coming up and the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department wants to make your night spook-tacular!

The annual Halloween Festival is 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Superstition Shadows Park, 1091 W. Southern Ave. Entry into the event is free to the community.

Back by popular demand will be the Trunk or Treat, sponsored by Lost Dutchman Realty. Join local businesses as they line up their vehicles and pass out handfuls of candy to all the dressed-up ghouls and goblins, according to a release.

New this year will be a live performance from the teen-led band Zero Reasons from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., a pumpkin painting and decorating station, and other free activities presented by Community Alliance Against Family Abuse.

The annual costume contest will begin at 5 p.m. sharp at the stage and will be divided by ages. All ages are welcome to enter. Remember to use your imagination and be creative, the release states.

Enter your dog in the howl-o-ween canine costume contest. All canines must be on a leash. This contest will take place by the stage after the human costume contests.

Do you or your family like to carve pumpkins for Halloween? If so, bring your pre-carved pumpkin out to the park and enter the pumpkin carving contest. Entries will be judged by kids and adults. All pumpkins must be submitted to the judging table by 6 p.m. to be eligible to win. Winners will be announced after the conclusion of the costume contest.

Several spots around town are accepting candy donations starting on Oct. 1. Candy can be dropped at the Multi-Gen Center, Lost Dutchman Realty, the Apache Junction Public Library, Little Prospector Preschool, VFW No. 9399, Academy Mortgage and VFW Post No. 7968. All candy must be sealed at the time of drop off, according to the release.

Local nonprofit organizations, businesses and food vendors will be on-site selling food and providing games for the kids. AJPR will be selling wristbands to participate in vendor games, inflatables and the pumpkin patch. All proceeds of the sales go back to the community and the nonprofit groups that host booths at the event. Wristbands are on sale at the Multi-Generational Center and are $10 per person for Apache Junction residents and $15 for nonresidents. All wristbands will be $15 on the day of the event.

Event entry is free and activities that do not require wristbands include the Trunk or Treat, costume and pumpkin contests, pumpkin decorating area, and various other crafts and activities.

If you want to host a booth at this event, email Jared Grimm at jgrimm@apachejunctionaz.gov. If your local business would like to participate in the Trunk or Treat, email JJ Underwood at junderwood@apachejunctionaz.gov.

Interested in volunteering at this event? If call Jared Grimm at 480-474-5152.

For information on other programs and services, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 480-474-5240 or go to www.apachejunctionaz.gov/parks.