NORWAY — In a few weeks, downtown Norway will be filled with hundreds of witches and goblins, pirates, princesses and probably a ghost or two.

The annual Halloween Fest will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

“We’ve got a new mascot,” Recreation Department director Deb Partridge said. “The Subway man from Subway sandwiches is coming along with all the old favorites like Oakie and Smokey the Bear and Newbie from New Balance.”

The fest is a collaborative effort among the Norway Recreation Department, Norway Memorial Library, Norway Downtown and Main Street businesses, with help and participation from individuals and organizations.

In the past nine years, thousands of children and their families have trekked down Main Street from the Norway Memorial Library, where children get maps of the participating businesses giving candy and other information on activities.

Activities usually include a scavenger hunt that begins and ends at the library, trick-or-treating, fortunetelling, raffles, games and costumed characters such as Baxter the library cat and the Cat in the Hat.

Many local businesses also participate in a window decorating contest. Categories have included most festive and best use of product.

The weather has also usually been nice too, Partridge said.

“It’s been chilly a few times and a little rain but mostly it’s been nice weather,”  Partridge said.

ldixon@sunjournal.com