Children trick or treat in Parkersburg in 2021. (File photo)

PARKERSBURG — Trick or treating in the Mid-Ohio Valley this year is mainly split between Saturday and Monday although there are a few communities choosing to turn loose their little ghosts and goblins on other days.

Marietta officials don’t have to decide when to slate their trick or treat each year. The last Saturday in October has been designated in the city code for years.

Williamstown residents will be giving out candy and goodies on Halloween night, and Police Chief Shawn Graham is asking motorists and pedestrians to be careful.

“We want our drivers to be on the lookout for children,” he said.

Kids should travel in groups and wear bright clothing or carry bright items “just so they stand out in the dark,” Graham said.

The department plans to help with that the night before by distributing glow-in-the-dark bracelets at the First Baptist Church of Williamstown’s trunk or treat from 5-7 p.m. in the 400 block of Highland Avenue.

The nonprofit National Safety Council warns that children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than any other day. They recommend a responsible adult accompany young children while trick or treating.

For older children going alone, the NSC recommends parents plan and review an acceptable route and agree on a specific time to return home.

New, inexperienced drivers should be discouraged from driving during trick or treating, according to nsc.org.

Announced trick or treat times are:

West Virginia

* Belmont: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Elizabeth: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Glenville: 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Grantsville: 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Harrisville: 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Hundred: 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31

* New Martinsville: 6-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* North Hills: 5:30-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Paden City: 6-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Parkersburg: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Ravenswood: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Ripley: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Sistersville: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27

* Spencer: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* St. Marys: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Vienna: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* West Union: 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Williamstown: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

Ohio

* Barlow/Vincent: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Bartlett/Cutler: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Belpre: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Beverly: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Churchtown: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27

* Devola: 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Little Hocking/Porterfield: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Lowell: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Lower Salem/Warner/Whipple: 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Ludlow Township: 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Marietta: 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* New Matamoras: 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Newport: 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Oak Grove: 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Palmer Township: 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30

* Reno: 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

* Sardis: 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

* Waterford: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31