JONES — Cass County families — and their dogs — will have a chance to dress up in their spookiest outfits for some fall fun at an upcoming event hosted by the Cass County Parks Department.

The Cass County Parks Department has teamed up with Cass County 4-H and the Friends of the Cass County Parks to host the annual Harvest Fest and Trunk or Treat from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 19 at Dr. T.K. Lawless Park, 15122 Monkey Run St., Jones. From 3 to 4 p.m., a trunk or treat will be hosted. Other attractions will include bounce houses, a “not-so-haunted” trail, hayrides, face painting, a choo-choo train, a bonfire, zip line, balloon animals, pumpkin decorating and more. A costume contest will be hosted, and free pumpkins will be given out as supplies last to children 10 and under. The entrance fee is one canned good per person, which will be donated to a local food pantry, or $1 per person.

“There will be plenty of food, games, music and entertainment for everyone,” said Cass County Parks Director Scott Wyman. “We will have all the staples that have sustained us for so many years. … It’s always been a good event because it is community-driven, whether that is volunteers putting it on or it’s the community joining in on the fun.”

Wyman said the county has been hosting some form of the Harvest Fest and Trunk or Treat for at least 30 years. Typically, with good weather, the event sees anywhere between 800 and 1,200 attendees per year.

“This is definitely a community-driven event,” Wyman said. “We wouldn’t keep doing this if the community didn’t respond to it, and we certainly couldn’t do it without our volunteers.

In addition to the other activities taking place at the Harvest Fest and Trunk or Treat, the Cass County Parks Department has brought back the Canines in Costumes contest. To participate in the contest, visitors can dress their leased dogs in their best costumes and bring an item, such as food or cleaning supplies, to be donated to Cass County Animal Control.

Both the Canines in Costumes contest and the children’s costume contest will take place at 4:45 p.m. at the Schug Pavilion located west of the main parking area. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

“We are really excited,” Wyman said. “We are hoping to get 20 to 30 dogs walking around in costume to see if we can benefit our wonderful animal shelter that does such a great job.”

Wyman said he is proud that the annual Harvest Fest can give back to the community both through the Canines in Costume Contest and the ability for visitors to donate canned goods as an entrance fee.

“We are in the community and part of the community,” he said. “We are all about the community, and it’s important at that we give back and provide that service.”

As the parks department prepares for the Harvest Fest, Wyman is hoping for good weather that will make the festival enjoyable for anyone who attends.

“It’s a fun-filled family event — bring the family, bring your dog,” he said. “It will be a lot of fun.”

For more information, or to volunteer, call the MSU Extension office at (269) 445-4438 or the Cass County Parks Department at (269) 445-4456.