Ghosts, goblins, ghouls and superheroes will haunt homes thisweek in celebration of Halloween, and officials are encouragingresidents to follow safety rules and watch for costumedchildren.

All areas are not celebrating the holiday on the same day,however, because it falls on Wednesday, a night traditionallyreserved for church activities. Halloween is officially observed onOct. 31 each year.

Despite the timing of the holiday, Brookhaven and Wesson willfollow tradition and host their activities on Wednesday. Themunicipalities do not set certain hours for trick-or-treaters,although officials advised the activity could start early in theevening for anyone also wanting to attend church services.

Linda Dykes, Wesson city clerk, said town officials hoperesidents will not trick-or-treat beyond 8 p.m. for safetyreasons.

In Monticello, children will tour the town on Tuesday from 5:30p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in celebration of Halloween, said Mayor DavidNichols. He said the board of aldermen declared in 2000 thatHalloween shall not be held on Wednesdays because it conflictedwith many residents’ desire to attend church services thatnight.

“We moved it to Tuesdays then, and if it falls on a Sunday it’smoved to Monday,” he said.

The town board also decided then to set certain hours forcostumed children to visit homes on their quest for holidaygoodies.

“Typically, people with their porch lights on will be giving outcandy,” he said.

The set hours help to curtail late-night revelry and increasesafety for the children by stopping the activity before the fullfall of night, Nichols said.

However, he still advised parents to dress their children inbrightly colored costumes or clothing and carry a flashlight toincrease visibility.

Both Brookhaven and Monticello will boost their number ofofficers to further increase safety.

“We also encourage all motorists to look for ghosts andgoblins,” Nichols said.

Despite Monticello’s celebration of Halloween on Tuesday, manychurches in Southwest Mississippi will hold fall carnivals onWednesday as an alternative to trick-or-treating.