The fear, the fun, the screams of it all. Halloween is nearly upon us. Time to plan for playing it safe or playing it scary. Fortun-ately for all of us, the Bremerton area provides choices that run the entire range from the cute and fun to the full on scarefest that reduces the bravest of individuals to a crying, thumb sucking puddle of blubber. This is the one day of the year I embrace being called a real witch.

My personal favorite event that I take my son Nick to is put on by the Downtown Bremerton Association.  The Safe Trick or Treat event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31st with activities, games and candy provided.

I always love to see what the downtown business owners have to offer. Every year this is a great event and we have never been disappointed.

This year we hope to hit up the Safe Trick or Treat Zone put on by the Historic Charleston Business District. This event also runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Halloween between Callow Avenue and Montgomery Avenue.  Free candy, games, crafts, music and dances are available to all.  Put your own fears aside and come help Charleston celebrate the good kind of scary.

One of the most popular events, especially when the weather is really crummy, is the All-City Halloween Pumpkin Fest sponsored by the City of Bremerton and held at the Sheridan Park Community Center.  This one is great for the littlest trick or treaters and their suffering parents looking to have fun and still get their little “monsters” back home and in bed all while dodging the threat of a looming cold, tired, sugar crashing meltdown or costume failure. This event occurs on the 31st from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

And finally for the hard core older crowd there is the Kitsap Haunted Fairgrounds.  This scary treat is already underway. You can buy your tickets online here http://www.kitsaphauntedfairgrounds.com  for Oct. 28th through Oct. 31st.

Two separate times are offered each night. For those with a weaker constitution the Lights On portion runs from 5 to 6 p.m. and the screaming, spine tingling Full Scare is from 6 to 11 p.m. That one is not for me. Life is scary enough and I like to sleep at night.

For those that still enjoy the door-to-door old school trick or treating, please be mindful this year that many people have had to cut back on the extras thanks in large part to the current economy. If candy is not as available or plentiful this year when compared to previous years it is understandable. Trick or treaters should be thankful and gracious to homeowners and businesses for what is provided.

Be safe. Have fun.  Whatever your selection enjoy all that “Halloween Town” Bremerton has to offer.