On Friday, Oct. 30, families and friends are invited to downtown Kent to celebrate a Family-Friendly Halloween from 5-7 p.m. at the Hometown Bank Plaza and surrounding local businesses. The Kent Jaycees will again host the “haunted train car” on Franklin Avenue, and area businesses will be handing out Halloween treats. A list of trick-or-treat locations will be handed out at the Hometown Bank Plaza, where attendees can partake in Halloween-themed crafts and games during the event. A costume contest will take place at 7 p.m., and “Mr. Black Squirrel” will be on site for fun photo opportunities, so stop by to see what his costume is this year.

Participating businesses are located on Main Street, Franklin Avenue, Water Street, Erie Street and Depeyster Street in the downtown district. Locations for this year’s Family-Friendly Halloween include 157 Lounge, 4Cats Art Studio, AT&T, Baked in the Village Café, Belleria Pizza & Italian Restaurant, blue / A Goodwill Boutique, Buffalo Wild Wings, Carnaby Street Style, Dave’s Cosmic Subs, Downtown Gallery, Dragonfly, Empire, FJKluth Art Gallery, Franklin School of Dance, Franklin Square Deli, Fresco, Gracylane, Kent Central Gateway Footwear, Kent Cheesemonger, Kent Jaycees, Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center, McKay Bricker Framing and Black Squirrel Gifts, Newdle Bar, Off the Wagon, One Love Yoga Boutique, Pita Pit, Popped!, Rise & Shine Café, RUSH by Dino Palmieri, Secret Cellar, Scribbles Coffee, Taco Tonto’s, the Local Public House, Troy Grille, Twisted Meltz, UniversiTees, Wild Earth Outfitters and Zephyr Pub. Others may join the fun between now and the event, too.

For more information, visit www.mainstreetkent.org/family-friendly-halloween, check out the event page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/events/1666485706927750/ or call 330-677-8000.