Halloween events

Carson City and Douglas County events with a ghoulish bent include:

Today

Safe Halloween at United Blood Services, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 256 E. Winnie Lane. Supervised activities for children of donating parents include crafts, games, costume contest, treats, pony rides and pictures with Snow White. Call 887-9111.

Grimes Castle, 6:30 p.m.-midnight, old Wal-Mart, 4209 S. Carson St. Haunted house features carnival games, free entertainment, food by Grand Central Pizza, the Gore Store, and fun for the family. Cost is $11. Call 882-TOMB.

Haunted Firehouse and Safe Halloween, 5-10 p.m., Pleasant Valley VFD Firehouse 227, Corner of Esmeralda and Lakeshore. The 11th annual Haunted Firehouse includes carnival-style games, food and fun. Tickets $1, carnival tickets five for $1. Call 849-4922.

Saturday

Mad Hatter Ball, 7-10 p.m., Brewery Arts Center ballroom, 449 W. King St. Live caller; live band. Bring potluck snacks or dessert. Hat contest. Cost $12 at the door or $10 in advance, $6 for children, www.nevadamusic.com. Call 883-9351.

Halloween costume party by Silver Strike Entertainment Center at 6 p.m.-closing. Bowling will cost $1. Silver Strike is at 1281 Kimmerling Road in the Gardnerville Ranchos. Call 265-5454.

Annual Nevada Day Old West Costume Party at Nevada's Oldest Thirst Parlor, the Genoa Bar. There will be a barbecue from 2-6 p.m. and live music featuring String Machine from 7-11 p.m.

Sunday

Halloween Express 2006, 6-9 p.m., Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St. Trick-or-treaters of all ages invited to ride the first-ever Halloween Express. The train rides and grounds will have ghostly entertainment. Fares are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 65-older, $3 for children ages 6 to 11, and children 5-younger free. Call 687-6953.

UTF Halloween Party from 5-7 p.m. at the Scolari's Shopping Center in Carson City. Costume contest, a pumpkin carving contest, games and free prizes. Costumed attendees receive a free goodie bag. Call 575-6077.

Monday

Trick Or Treat Town, 6-8 p.m., Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St. Safe treat stops, face painting, pumpkin painting and cookie decorating. Photos $2; all children are $3, adults are free. Call 884-2226.

Halloween stories and poems at the Douglas County Public Library in Minden at 6:45 p.m. Call 782-9841.

Tuesday

Trick Or Treat Town, 6-8 p.m., Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St. Safe treat stops, face painting, pumpkin painting and cookie decorating. Photos $2; all children are $3, adults are free. Call 884-2226.

Safe Halloween at United Blood Services, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., United Blood Services, 256 E. Winnie Lane. Call 887-9111.

Creation Celebration, 6-8 p.m., Bread of Life Christian Fellowship, 10042 Highway 50 East, Mound House. A family-friendly alternative to the traditional Halloween activities. Call 530-8297.

Evergreen Mountain View Care Center will be holding a "Trick Or Treat Ghoulish Fun Night" from 5:30-7 p.m. Parents may bring their children to trick or treat. Call 883-3622.

Safe House for Halloween Trick-or-Treating at the Carson Plaza Retirement from 6:30-7:30 p.m., 2120 E. Long St. Candy will be handed out in the lobby.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Department will have court security officers on hand to X-ray candy for families and children free of charge from 4:30 p.m. to midnight Tuesday at the Reno Courthouse, 75 Court St.

Dake House to offer tours, readings and seances for Halloween at 7 p.m. at the house, 2242 Main St. in Genoa. The Dake House is one of Nevada's oldest haunted houses, built by Genoa's first undertaker. Tour costs $5 per person. Call 782-4951.

13th annual Trick-or-Treat Safety Street by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is 3-8 p.m. at the CVIC Hall on Esmeralda Avenue in Minden. Cost is $2 per child. Proceeds benefit the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Youth Services and Austin's House. Call 783-6441.

Calvary Chapel's Harvest Festival, 5 p.m at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Pinenut Road. Admission is a suggested donation of two unopened bags of candy per family. Call 265-3259.