Ghouls rule: Gateway Center hosts seventh annual Tech or Treat

Dozens of youngsters, dressed in costumes ranging from superheroes to spooky characters and more, gathered Tuesday night in Alberta for the city of Tuscaloosa's seventh annual Tech or Treat night.

The free community event for children and families was held at the Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center, a digital library that opened in 2016 at 2614 University Blvd E.

Tech or Treat featured science, technology, engineering and math activities, along with free candy distributed by people from city departments and community organizations.

Here's a look at more Halloween happenings in the next few days:

Friday

The Tuscaloosa Public Library will host a "Boook-tacular Evening" from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 27 at the main branch, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway. The free event will include candy, music and hands-on activities for ghouls and ghosts of all ages.

Saturday

"Boo! In the Park," organized by the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority, will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Oct. 28 at Mason’s Place in Munny Sokol Park South, 5901 Watermelon Road. The free event is designed for children of all ages. Costumes are encouraged. "Boo! In the Park" will feature costume contests for kids and pets, along with carnival-style fun, including games, inflatable bounce houses, candy and prizes. The event will also include "Touch A Truck," featuring heavy vehicles — concrete mixers, farm tractors, fire trucks, and more — for kids to explore. For more information, go to www.tcpara.org/programs/parakids/halloween.

Trick or Treat at Lurleen State Park will be from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 28, This is the park's annual Camp Fear event, with Halloween decorations and trick-or-treating for kids. Admission is $2 for those younger than 12 and $4 for those 12 and older. The park is at 13226 Lake Lurleen Road in Coker. www.alapark.com/parks/lake-lurleen-state-park.

DCH Health System will offer a community trunk-or-treat from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28 at in the laundry lot at DCH Regional Medical Center, 809 University Blvd. E. and in the lot beside the Women's Pavilion at Northport Medical Center, 2700 Hospital Drive. Families are invited to bring a bag to collect treats.

Oct. 30

Thousands of pieces of candy will be distributed to children during the Alabama Panhellenic Association’s Trick or Treat on Sorority Row from at 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30 on the University of Alabama campus. Activities for kids will be available on the lawns of the sorority houses on Magnolia Drive, Colonial Drive, and Judy Bonner Drive. The event is open to children ages 12 and younger who must be accompanied by an adult. Masks and fake or realistic-looking weapons are discouraged.

Oct. 31

A free Halloween carnival sponsored by the Tuscaloosa Police Department is set for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 in the parking lot of University Mall. 1701 McFarland Blvd. E. Kids are invited to trick-or-treat with TPD and the carnival will include candy, games and food trucks.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Gateway Center in Alberta hosts seventh annual Tech or Treat for kids