Many area communities will be participating in Beggars Night this week.

The annual night of trick or treating as kids dress up in costumes will make for an active night in our local area communities. In Marion County, Knoxville, Pella, Melcher-Dallas and Pleasantville will have their Beggars night from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday. In Jasper County, Newton, Colfax, Monroe, Prairie City and Sully will have their Beggars Night from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday, with Mingo’s being from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. In Warren County, Indianola, Norwalk, and Carlisle will have theirs from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Halloween, which is a change from originally being scheduled for tonight, but due to potential rain it was moved. However, Milo will still have theirs tonight from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt reminds motorists to be extra cautious during Beggars Night.

“A lot of times with young kids whether it be the type of costume they have on, they don’t have a lot of visibility or the excitement of just being out of getting candy and dodging in and out of cars it’s really important for the adults to slow down and to take the time to recognize that a lot of these kids are just not paying attention. It’s even more important for the adults to pay attention and slow down, especially in those areas. The residential areas, those kids are out crossing the streets they’re going back and forth. Just slow down, pay attention, and be careful.”

Sandholdt also says parents need to have a plan in place for their kids if they are going out without parental supervision.