College mall hosting trick or treat alternative

The College Mall is hosting a few safe Halloween events for local children during the next few weeks.\nUp until Oct. 31, the College Mall will have a haunted house set up in the center court. The house will be made of Pepsi cases and will have a non-scary side for the younger children, as well as a scary side. They will be charging a one dollar admission to the house; but the proceeds will benefit scholarships for college students.\nThe haunted house is staffed by volunteers from Pepsi, radio stations WBWB and WGCT, and service sorority and fraternity members. \n"(This is) a great family event . . . and a tradition for almost twenty years," said Dena Marietta, the marketing director for College Mall.\nThis event will run along with the Safe Trick or Treating event hosted on Halloween from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. \nThe Safe Trick or Treating is held inside the mall. Children come dressed in their costumes and bring a bag for candy. They then go from store to store, gathering treats. Some stores offer candy and some offer other sorts of treats. \nKB Toys will be one of the businesses in College Mall to participate in the event. \n"This is a good cause because the parents actually know where the candy is coming from," said assistant manager Brandon Duncan. "It's the year 2001, and you don't really want to send your kids to strangers."\nMarietta agreed and said this type of Trick or Treating is a safe way for kids to go out on Halloween. The area is well lit, weather is not an issue inside, and there are lots of people. Last year, the event saw more than 6,000 people in attendance for the trick or treating.\n"It is one of our most popular events every year," she said.\n"We like to do things that contribute to the community," said Marietta.