NORWAY — Storefronts on Main Street are decorated in preparation of the annual Halloween festival from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday.

The event draws hundreds of children and families for trick-or-treating, stories and dancing to monster music. At the Norway Memorial Library, 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 at participating stores, fortunetelling, raffles and games. There are also costumed characters such as Baxter the library cat, Smokey the Bear, the Cat in the Hat and a new mascot this year, The Subway Man from Subway sandwich shop.

Businesses also participate in a window-decorating contest. Categories have included “most festive” and “best use of product.”

Friends of the Gingerbread House and its volunteers say in the coming week, figures of ghosts will be placed in the windows of the large, two-story house and on the property. Art students at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School will help with the effort.

The festival is sponsored by Norway Downtown, Norway Recreation Department,  Norway Memorial Library, Healthy Oxford Hills and Main Street businesses.

ldixon@sunjournal.com