The streets of downtown Williamsport will fill with goblins, ghouls, superheroes, princesses and more as the city of Williamsport partners with the Williamsport Business Association to hold their annual Downtown Halloween Trick or Treat & Fall Fest on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The free event will take place along Fourth Street, stretching from William to Market streets, which will be shut down beginning at 3 p.m., according to a press release from the Williamsport Business Association.

A much anticipated feature of this year’s festival is the revival of the long dormant costume contest, which will kick off at 6:30 p.m. at Fourth and Pine streets, Michaela Henne, of the Williamsport Business Association said.

The idea to bring back the contest was the result of a conversation between Henne and Sean Walker, recreation coordinator for the city, who were brainstorming ideas of how to continue to grow the event.

“We were standing at the event last year, and we said, ‘you know, how great is this and how much greater could it be?'” Henne said.

Originally, the idea was to create a parade of the costumed children before plans for this year shifted to the more manageable contest.

Open to all ages, the contest will award participants for Best Overall in each age group, 1-5, 6-12 and 13-18, as well as Best Group Ensemble, which encompasses all ages.

Judging this year’s competition will be Jay Innerarity, professor of design and technical theatre, for Lycoming College, Nicole Warner, archives and special collections librarian, for Pennsylvania College of Technology, Concetta Owens, owner of Make Art Supplies and Alicia Boyer, owner of Arrow and Thread.

“They have such knowledge of what a good design, a good costume, and a good presentation would be,” Henne said of the judges.

“Also, I think any time you have the opportunity to involve other people in what you’re doing, it makes the event that much greater, so I was just happy that the idea came up to involve four local judges from different organizations, so those organizations could be involved,” she said.

Contestants will be reviewed based on creativity, originality, effort, authenticity and presentation, with one winner from each category receiving a $25 gift card from Make Art Supplies, Mulberry Moose and Otto Bookstore.

In addition, each winner will receive a candy necklace attached to a 3D printed medallion, courtesy of Javeron 3D, of Lewisburg, Henne revealed.

Registration for the contest is open now with several spots still available, Henne stressed.

Those wishing to pre-register can do so through the Facebook event on Explore Williamsport’s page.

Limited registration may also be available at the event 5:30 to 6 p.m., a press release said.

The festival will begin at Horizon Federal Credit Union, 330 Pine Street, who will be handing out trick or treat bags to the first 1000 participants.

A pumpkin giveaway to the first 300 guests will take place in the parking lot adjacent to the Lycoming County Visitors Center, which will also host a bounce house and other games, the press release said.

More than 50 vendors and storefronts will take part in the festival, offering free candy, activities or other goodies, including Pine Street United Methodist Church, which will serve up hot dogs and host a trunk-or-treat in their parking lot.

Also new this year, will be a walk through a spooky bus by River Valley Transit at Laurel and Fourth streets and a picture spot at William & Fourth streets, Henne highlighted.

Additionally, the festival serves as a chance for adults attending to get a greater sense of all that downtown has to offer, Henne said.

“While the businesses are handing out candy to the children, people can take a look around, see what these businesses have to offer and keep them in mind if they have a future opportunity to support them,” she said.

“For me, it’s about showcasing what our city has to offer and it’s a good way for businesses that don’t necessarily have the benefit of having a storefront downtown to get exposure,” Henne continued.

“It’s just promoting those businesses and everything we have to offer, in addition to being able to give kids a safe event to take part in,” Henne said.