Photo by Deb Gau Marshall residents have gotten into the Halloween spirit with yard decorations this month. Decorations on a lawn along East Main Street included a parade of spooky cyclists.

MARSHALL — Halloween is still a week away, but the celebrations are starting up early in area communities.

This weekend has a busy schedule of activities and trick-or-treating events for kids and families. Some of the events going on in Marshall on Saturday include returning favorites like the downtown trick-or-treat and Southwest Minnesota State University’s Residence HALLoween.

On Saturday morning, the Marshall Area YMCA is putting its own spin on trick-or-treating, with the Trick-or-Trot 5K and kids’ Monster Mile races. Runners are encouraged to dress up for the event, which starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Y. Participants are also encouraged to stick around for fall activities after the race.

A few different trick-or-treating events are also going on this Saturday in Marshall. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Marshall Hy-Vee will have a kids’ event featuring candy and costumes. Later, kids can head to participating Marshall businesses for the annual downtown trick-or-treating event, from 2-4 p.m. Participating downtown businesses will have signs showing that they are part of the event.

At the same time, families can also stop by the Lyon County Museum’s free Family Fun Day event. From noon to 4 p.m., kids and families can enjoy activities like a pumpkin scavenger hunt at the museum. There will also be crafts, coloring activities, and $2 orange or root beer floats at the museum ice cream shop. Kids dressed in costume will receive a treat bag.

SMSU’s ResHALLoween will be from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at the university residence halls. Members of the SMSU Residence Hall Association will have games, candy and crafts for kids in pre-K through sixth grade.

Check-in for the event is at the Commons Central building, located across from the Campus Religious Center at SMSU. Admission is $1, or one non-perishable food item, per person. Proceeds are donated to local food banks.

Of course, the Halloween events in Marshall aren’t the only ones going on this weekend. Area residents can also check out the following events:

Lakeview School Trunk

or Treat, Cottonwood

Lakeview School will be holding a trunk or treat event Saturday from 10-11:30 a.m. Event includes fall-themed games, and kids can decorate a donut for a small donation to the Lakeview PTO.

National Pumpkin Day,

Marshall-Lyon County Library

Families can celebrate National Pumpkin Day on Saturday at the Marshall-Lyon County Library. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can do take-and-make crafts, a library scavenger hunt, activity packets and more.

St. Edward Trunk or Treat, Minneota

A trunk or treat event will be held at St. Edward School in Minneota on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Kids Harvest Festival, Minneota

A day of fun, food and festivities will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the City Hall Bar and Grill in Minneota. Activities include a costume contest, pumpkin decorating, bingo and more.

Trunk or Treat! Tyler

The Tyler Community Club will hold a trunk or treat event at Tyler’s bandshell park on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event includes a food truck, and a dance performance by Just for Kix at 12:30 p.m.

Halloween Carnival, Clarkfield

A Halloween carnival event will be held at the Clarkfield Care Center courtyard on Saturday, from 12:30-2 p.m. In case of bad weather, the carnival will be held in the Care Center day room.

Chamber Trunk ‘n Treat and Lee Mar Vendor Show, Granite Falls

A pair of Halloween events will be taking place at the Lee Mar Ranch Equine Center near Granite Falls on Saturday. The Granite Falls Chamber of Commerce will hold a Trunk ‘n Treat event in the parking lot from 1-3 p.m. Inside, the Trick or Treat and Vendor Show will be going on from 1-5 p.m.

Samuel Lutheran Trunk

or Treat, Marshall

Samuel Lutheran School will be holding a trunk or treat event Saturday from 2-4 p.m. in the Samuel Lutheran School parking lot on Village Drive.

Halloween Hustle

walk/run, Cottonwood

A spooky walk/run to benefit Cottonwood’s Coming Home Days events will kick off Saturday night at LeRoys. Runners are encouraged to dress up for the event. Check-in and registration start at 7:30 p.m.

Spooky Halloween Kids Party, Currie

A kids’ Halloween party will be held Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at Sweetman Sand and Gravel in Currie. The event includes a costume contest, photo booth and games. A citywide trick-or-treating scavenger hunt will also take place Sunday. Participants can collect puzzle pieces at some houses. Participants who complete the puzzle and return it to the party will be entered for a chance to win a prize.