The staff at the Troy Public Library has planned “A Haunting Good Time” for people of all ages at the library on Saturday afternoon.

Teresa Colvin, children’s librarian, said this “haunting good time” will be the first big event in the new library.

“The staff is working extremely hard to make sure that we have a blast,” Colvin said. “‘A Haunting Good Time’ will be spooky fun but not too scary fun. Our staff loves Halloween and we want young children to know that monsters are not real and learn to have fun with them.”

Colvin said that many children’s books are about monsters and make fun and interesting reading for children.

“A Haunting Good Time” will begin at 4 p.m. with a special program featuring Garry Ledbetter, an internationally known magician.

“Garry has traveled all over the world with his magic show and he is fantastic,” Colvin said. “I’ve asked him to do spooky magic for Halloween.”

At 4 p.m. the young adults, ages 12-18, will be upstairs competing in a “Face Off.”

“In the Face Off, eight teams will work together, using makeup, to create a frightening ‘face’ for judging,” Colvin said. “Their finished masterpieces will be presented for judging around 6 p.m.”

Downstairs, following the magic show, the young children, up to age five, will be introduced to the delights of slightly scary stories and games and crafts.

“Also at 5 p.m., our juveniles, ages six to 11, will enjoy scary stories and participate in the Pumpkin Walk, the Piñata Bash and a variety of games,” Colvin said.

At 6 p.m., everyone will be invited to parade in the Grand Procession of Costumes.

“The procession is for children and adults,” Colvin said. “We are encouraging the adults to be creative and join the fun. First, second and third prizes will be awarded for the funniest costume, the best costume and the scariest costume in the four age divisions – five years and under, six to 11, 12 to 18 and adults.”

The winners of the writing contest will be recognized following the “Procession.”

“We had a ton of entries in the writing contests from the city and the county schools,” Colvin said. “Some were scary and some were funny and they were all fun to read. The participation was great and it was exciting to have so many young people enjoying writing stories.”

Halloween is a time for all ages and Colvin said the adults like to have fun, too.

“Adults are invited to enter their own Pumpkin Painting Contest from 4 until 6 p.m. on Saturday,” Colvin said. “We’ll provide the paint but those who participate are asked to bring their own pumpkins.”

At the end of the “Haunting Good Time,” each participant will have an opportunity to participate in a Candy Grab.

“Each person who participates in our ‘Haunting Good Time’ will be given a ticket and that ticket will be traded for an opportunity to grab a double handful of candy from the candy cauldron. That will be a ‘good’ way to end a ‘Haunting Good Time.’”