Vicksburg’s 2008 Halloween festivities kick off Saturday with the 21st annual Halloween Costume Contest and Parade.

The costume contest will begin at 9:30 a.m. in a parking lot at Veto and Walnut streets. Trophies will be awarded to winners.

The parade will follow at 10:30 a.m., rolling north on Washington Street. Children 12 and under accompanied by an adult can line up for treats.

Trick-or-treating with downtown merchants will follow the parade.

A Spooky Pooch Contest will be Saturday, at the Outlets at Vicksburg. Registration begins at 2 p.m. and the competition begins at 3 p.m. Awards will be given for spookiest, silliest, most original and best pet/owner duo costumes. There is an entry fee of $5 per category and an opportunity to get $1 off with the donation of a bag of cat or dog food.

Proceeds go to Paws Rescue.

Trick-or-treating for youth in Vicksburg and Warren County will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday for children 12 and younger.

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Contact Megan Holland at mholland@vicksburgpost.com.

If you go

Saturday

* 9:30 a.m. — 21st annual Halloween Costume Contest, at Walnut and Veto streets

* 10:30 — Parade along Washington Street; trick-or-treating with downtown merchants follows.

* 3 p.m. — Spooky Pooch Contest; the Outlets at Vicksburg; entry fee, $5 per category and $1 off with a donation of bag of cat or dog food; registration begins at 2 p.m.

Thursday

* 6-8 p.m. —  Trick-or-treating for children 12 and younger.