BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Bay Minette Civic Club will host Halloween Downtown 16 Family Carnival on Oct. 31 at the John F. Rhodes Civic Center, 301 D‚Olive Street in Bay Minette from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“The event is family-friendly and has nothing scary or negative,” said Greg Mais, BMCC President.

Proceeds of the carnival benefit the club’s 32nd annual Underprivileged Children Christmas Shopping Tour. Christmas presents are provided for 20 foster children through the Baldwin County Department of Human Resources “Angel Tree” program.

Bay Minette Civic Club took over the Halloween Downtown and UCCST projects from the Bay Minette Jaycees in 1997 when the club’s membership fell below 20 and lost its U.S. Jaycees charter.

Four Sponsor Packages are available: $25, $50, $100 and $150-plus. Visit bmcivicclub.org for a list of sponsor benefits. (Signage at Carnival, free ticket coupons, etc.) Make check or money order to Bay Minette Civic Club and mail to Bay Minette Civic Club, P.O. Box 1044, Bay Minette AL 36507-1044.

Ten carnival games, Frankenstein’s Cake Walk, a costume contest, and lots of trick-or-treat candy await carnival attendees. Tickets are 50-cents each. Games take 1 ticket; Cake Walk and Costume Contest take 2 tickets. Prizes are awarded for games, win or lose.

The costume contest begins at 7:30 pm. for two age groups: Infant-Kindergarten and first grade through sixth grade. There are four categories in each age group: cutest, scariest, funniest and most creative. The funniest category replaces most unusual category.

Best Overall costume is also chosen. Nine trophies will be awarded.

Photos by Lock and Load Photo is a great way to remember your child/children/family in costume!

• New this year: Charity Auction at 6:30 p.m. Contact Sharon Estelle at (251) 580-0959 to donate items.

• Five new games: Lightning Ball, Jack-O-Lantern, Seven Eleven, Tic-Tac-Toe, and Spider Ring Toss.

Halloween Downtown has become a Bay Minette tradition, providing a safe alternative or addition to door-to-door Trick-Or-Treating, while providing Christmas presents to 20 foster children. Former Bay Minette Mayor Rickey Rhodes came up with the event’s name in 1992.

Bay Minette Civic Club Inc. is a non-profit organization, incorporated in 1997. Men and women age 21 or older are welcome to join. No dues are required. Visit bmcivicclub.org for details or call (251) 463-1909. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at BMCC Clubhouse on Jaycee Rd.

Financial donations to Underprivileged Children Christmas Shopping Tour are accepted and appreciated. A receipt will be provided on request.