“The turnout was similar, if not better than past years,” Swanson said.

At Chapman School’s Halloween Carnival Saturday, a crowd that filled the school’s multi-purpose room raised more than $4,000 to purchase items on teachers’ wish lists.

“It also helps support field trips and artist-in-the-schools program,” said Debbie Poindexter, school secretary.

Paul Banks Elementary School’s costume parade on Tuesday drew a huge camera-toting crowd eager to watch the preschool through second-graders strut their stuff.

“Let the party begin,” Principal Benny Abraham announced.

As the theme song from “The Munster Family” played through the school’s speakers, the students, as well carefully disguised faculty and staff, marched through the halls, the multi-purpose room and around the building.

Then Abraham and Debbie Turkington hurried back to the office to greet trick-or-treaters.

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Hom Chapman School Halloween Carnival was so scary it made Krista and Chris Etzwiler's hair stand on end.

Photo provided (From left) Holly Fey and USCGC Hickory crew Tom Fey, Roberta Houck, Paul Clifford, and Sean Dodd deliver to the Homer Community Food Pantry more than 1,000 pounds of food collected from guests at the Haunted Hickory.

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Hom McNeil: Douglas Dean, 6

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Hom McNeil: Douglas Dean, 6

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Hom McNeil: Beth Andersno and Sherri Bess (sp?)

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Hom McNeil: Katie Swanson, 5 months

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Hom McNeil: (Front) Caleb Beach, Haley Parker, Leota Parker and Connor Beach; (back) Taya Parker and Chandra Beach.

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Hom Paul Banks secretary Debbie Turkington and principal Benny Abraham set a happy mood for Halloween.

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Hom Princess Ginger, a 10-week old English bulldog, joined the Halloween fun at Paul Banks Elementary School.

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Hom Preschools James Rogers and Aiden Pullman, Paul Banks Elementary School