Southside Community – With leaves quickly turning and fall steadily. upon us, it can only mean one thing: Halloween is around the corner. The Southside Virginia Family YMCA is pleased to offer family friendly activities for all to participate in to celebrate Halloween.

The Y will host a Halloween Hustle Fun Run on Saturday, October 23 at 9 a.m. Everyone in the community is invited to come dressed up in your costume and make your way as fast as your can through the Y “haunted” nature trail. The first 50 registered participants will receive a Halloween at the Y t-shirt and the cost is only $5.00 to participate in all of the festivities. All race participants will receive a bag at the finish line for trunk or treating. To register, please contact the Y at (434) 392-3456.

In addition to the Halloween Hustle Fun Run, the Y will be hosting a Pumpkin Carving Contest for all Y members. T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 50 participants and grand prizes for winners in both the youth and adult category. For more information on the Pumpkin Carving Contest, please contact Danielle Chonko.

Come join the Y and the Longwood University Women's Soccer team on Thursday, October 28, at 4 p.m. for a Halloween soccer clinic at the Southside Virginia Family YMCA. The clinic is open for all children ages four to 12 years old and trick or treating will take place for participants at 5 p.m. There is no charge for this event.

“Halloween is an exciting family bonding time, but remembering safety is key to a fun experience,” said Dan Albert, Executive Director.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, some Halloween tips include avoid trick or treating alone, examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them, and fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you. For more Halloween health and safety tips, visit www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/.

The YMCA is a non-profit 501C3 charitable organization serving the counties of Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Nottoway and Prince Edward County with locations on Commerce Road and East Third Street. The Southside Virginia Family YMCA programs are affordable experiences for families, with financial assistance available to all members of the community.