Every year, adult mummies and witches bring their tiny superheroes and pirates to the Mother-Son Halloween Dance.

“During a fall season which is often filled with sports and other activities that make it difficult to find time to spend with your son, (the dance) comes in,” said Michael Waters, Recreation Program Coordinator for the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Department.

The 13th annual event will be from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Gainesville Civic Center Ballroom, 830 Green St. NE, in Gainesville.

“Anywhere from 75 to 100 couples attend the event yearly,” Waters said.

This year, guest can expect a catered dinner, a DJ, costume contest and raffle prizes, as well as an over-the-top atmosphere that is both fun and spooky, Waters said.

“The Mother-Son Dance is hugely popular … These moms and sons have a blast and many have been coming for years together,” he said.

Waters described the event has a fun way for moms and their sons to enjoy a “low-grade fright that will provide memories with your child for years to come.”

For city residents, the cost is $50 per couple. To bring an additional child, the cost $17.50 per kid.

For nonresidents, the price rises to $60 per couple and $21 per additional child.

To attend the event, mothers and sons must register in advance.

Prefer to register in person? Pay at the civic center during operating hours or call 770-531-2680.

The registration period ends at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24.

If you are unable to register by then, a $15 late fee will be charged.

For more information, visit www.gainesville.org/special-events.