Old Ellicott City Opens Doors For Trick Or Treating, Church Hosts CandyFEST 2024

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Businesses in Old Ellicott City are awaiting the arrival of little ghosts and goblins Thursday for trick or treating.

The fun begins at 4 p.m. and will wrap up around 6 p.m. Participating businesses will be handing out candy to those who stop by.

Bridgeway Community Church at 9189 Red Branch Road in Columbia will be hosting CandyFEST 2024 starting at 6 p.m. There will be games, activities and more.

According to the Howard County Police Department, detectives have accounted for all 130 registered sex offenders in Howard County, police said in a news release sent Oct. 31. Two were found to not be living at their registered address. They were both located and charged accordingly, police said.

"Officers will be alert for vandalism, theft and destruction of property. They will conduct speed enforcement activities and be on the lookout for drunk or impaired drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of all crash fatalities on Halloween night in recent years involved a drunk driver," the police department stated.

Police offer the following tips to parents and drivers for a safe trick or treat night:

• Encourage children to trick-or-treat with a group, and before dark. After dark, an adult chaperone should carry a flashlight and choose well-lighted streets.
• Wear costumes that are short, snug and flame retardant; wear light colors or reflective tape; avoid masks that can obstruct vision.
• Teach children they should never go inside a stranger’s home or car.
• Remind children not to eat treats before they have been inspected by parents; never eat candy that has been opened.
• Tell trick-or-treaters not to take shortcuts through backyards, alleys or playing fields.
• Don’t allow children to approach homes that are dark.
• Drive slowly all evening – you never know when a trick-or-treater may dart into the street.
• If you’re handing out candy, turn on outside lights and remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard.