The Hinesville Downtown Development Authority and Liberty County Convention & Visitors Bureau are inviting families to an early all-ages Halloween celebration.

The fourth annual Scarecrow Stroll and Beggars Night will get the holiday going early from 4-6 p.m. Friday in Bradwell Park and the downtown area.

Kids can dress up for the costume contest hosted by the Heritage Bank, or they can indulge in candy at more than 50 beggars stations and other booths. There also will be treats for pets.

Parents strolling through downtown with their children can check out the static displays of scarecrows in front of businesses along Main Street.

Brewer’s Christmas Tree-Blueberry Farm will provide a hay ride, sponsored by Geo-Vista Credit Union. There will also be a creepy carnival, marshmallow dipping, a scary hair station, scary storytelling and other children’s activities,

“This event has really grown,” said Katrina Barrow, program assistant with the HDDA. “We estimated over 10,000 participants last year and expect this year to be even bigger.”

Last year’s stations were manned by representatives of local government and downtown businesses, including the justice center, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Coastal Courier, Realty Executives and others. Many participants dressed as witches, ghouls and fictional characters.

After the costume contest at 5:45 p.m. in front of Heritage Bank, fall festivals sponsored by the Hinesville First Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church will be held from 6-8 p.m.

As the sun sets, there will be a “Thriller” performance at 6:15 p.m. at Main Street Park next to Coastal Bank. This performance will be followed by an outdoor showing of the movie “The Goonies,” presented by the Hinesville Area Arts Council.

Event maps are available at www.hinesvilledowntown.com, by email to discoverdowntown@coastalnow.net or by calling the HDDA at 877-4332.

All ages are welcome to participate in the Scarecrow Stroll and Beggars Night, Barrow said.

Door-to-door trick-or-treating will be observed from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, in Hinesville.