Aurora, Marionville offer variety of Halloween activities

Various churches are hosting trunk or treat events where members provide Halloween treats from the trunks of their cars. This allows families to have a safe, family-friendly alternative to children going from house to house.
Trunk or treat at Aurora Baptist Temple, 1111 South Elliott Avenue, is set for 6 to 8 p.m., October 31. There will be candy, inflatables, music, hot dogs, a costume contest and more. All ages are welcome.
Trunk or treat at First Baptist Church in Marionville is set for 7 to 8:15 p.m., on Halloween. A devotional will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, call 258-2202.
Members of Aurora United Methodist Church, 1211 South Carnation, are hosting a trunk or treat event, an indoor carnival and a costume contest on Halloween.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., trunk or treat takes place in the church parking lot, while the carnival is in the fellowship hall. The carnival will feature hot dogs, veggies, candy and carnival games.
The costume contest takes place at 7 p.m., in the fellowship hall.
A wide variety of community events for all ages are in store for the annual Aurora Spooktacular on Wednesday, October 31, in downtown Aurora.
Youngsters will be able to safely “trick or treat” in costume from 4 until 6 p.m. at downtown businesses, including the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library and Aurora Fire Station, as well.
The annual costume contest will get under way on the top floor of city hall at 6:01 p.m.
A ribbon-cutting/dedication ceremony is set for 4:30 p.m. to call attention to the renovated fountain project on the lawn on the north side of the city hall.
Those contributing to the fountain project are especially invited to be on hand for the dedication or to have representatives there, according to Aurora City Manager Tony Stonecypher.
Stonecypher thanked the community for its support and extended a special thank-you to the following: Charles and Vollie Hudson, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sumners Sr., First Independent Bank, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Aurora High School Youth Empowerment Project, Mercy Hospital Aurora, Empire District Electric Company, Great Southern Bank, Community National Bank, ADF, Aurora Lions Club, Gene Godwin, Aurora Rotary Club, Aurora Motor & Machine, Mid America Auto Lifts, S & S Masonry, Jessee Insurance Lawrence Trophy and Aurora Main Street.
Dancers from Fire Up Fitness Zumba will take the spotlight at 5 p.m. on the square.
Another highlight on the square will be some high school drama students participating in a “Voices of Aurora’s Past” event by sharing stories and anecdotes from the town’s founder -- Stephen Elliott, a Union soldier who donated the land for what would become Aurora, and the notorious Ma (Arizona) Barker, who lived here for a while at the turn of the 20th Century, with her husband George and young boys -- before making headlines as a possible criminal mastermind during the Great Depression. (The skits will demonstrate the role of “choices” -- good and bad -- during the lives of those who make up our local history.)
Also downtown, is the Dread Zone, a spook house, at 33 West Olive. It is open at 7 p.m., October 27, 28, 30 and 31. Fright time is 10 p.m. Admission is $5, which benefits Main Street Aurora.