Children will be on a candy overload even before Halloween thanks to the Trick or Treat on the Trail.

More than 200,000 pieces of candy are expected to be given out during the sixth annual event at Midtown Greenway, 682 Grove St. in Gainesville. Children can stop at plywood houses decorated by sponsors from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, to collect the sugary snacks.

“We try to provide the feeling of going door-to-door trick-or-treating,” said Julie Butler Colombini, marketing/communications manager at Gainesville Parks and Recreation. “It’s so hard to find neighborhoods and situations where kids can safely go door-to-door.”

This year, 15 different sponsors have decorated the houses, which is an increase from last year. Colombini said 15 houses is perfect number for the amount of space in the greenway,.

“They’re really cute, 8 feet tall and they’re made out of plywood,” Colombini said. “They’re not scary.”

In addition to candy, the event will have face painting, temporary tattoos, bounce houses, cornhole games, a petting zoo and sponsor giveaways.

“The way the greenway is set up, it’s enclosed and it’s so safe,” Colombini said. “The kids just run and play.”

The event is for children ages 12 and younger.

Colombini said canned food items will be collected to benefit the Georgia Mountain Food Bank. Last year, 372 pounds were collected. Organizers hope to collect 500 pounds this year, surpassing last year’s donations of 372 pounds.

“It’s a great event. It’s a really fun, safe way to trick-or-treat,” Colombini said.

It is also the biggest event for the Parks and Rec department.

“What started as an event to get folks to come out to our parks has turned into such a huge, successful event,” Colombini said,

Boo at the Zoo

Children won’t be the only things dressed up for Halloween.

Visitors to North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm may find a pig with wings, a goat dressed like a cowboy or a unicorn. It is all part of Boo at the Zoo on Oct. 28, 29 and 30.

Guests may dig for treasures, hold a tarantula and participate in a scavenger hunt. Goodies and prize giveaways will be on hand. Costumed guests will receive a free feed cup for the animals.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29 and 30. The zoo is at 2912 Paradise Valley Road in Cleveland.

Cost is $23 for adults, $21 for children ages 2-11, and infants are free.

For more information, visit www.myfavoritezoo.com or call 706-348-7279.

Trunk-O-Treat

For people looking for more outdoor fun, head to Don Carter State Park on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Guests in costume may go trunk-or-treating and collect candy car to car.

Supervised children’s activities are available from 1-1:30 p.m. and contests for best costumes and car decorations are planned.

The event is free, however, the parking fee is $5 parking fee at the park at 5000 N. Browning Bridge Road in Gainesville.

Zombie 5K Run

For those not wishing to trick or treat but don a costume and get some exercise at the same time, try the second annual Zombie 5K Run in Braselton.

The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Awards will be presented to the top male and female runners, and for various age groups. A special award will be presented to the best dressed Zombie.

Organizers said the 5-kilometer course will be littered with zombies and the best way to avoid them is to outrun them.

Cost is $30 per person and includes T-shirt if payment is received by Friday, Oct. 21. Cost is $35 after Oct. 21 and shirts are not guaranteed.

For more information, visit www.DowntownBraselton.com.