Enter to Win Patch’s Best Halloween Costume in America Contest

Add a photo of you or your child in a Halloween costume for a chance to win!

Dentists Team Up for Halloween Candy Buyback Program

Share your trick-or-treat candy with American troops overseas.

Candy buyback programs have been becoming more and more popular in recent years, offering parents a way to keep the kids’ cavities to a minimum. Since 2004, Operation Gratitude has been partnering with dentists all over the country, “buying back” candy from trick-or-treaters and sending those fun size chocolate bars and other Halloween treats to military personnel serving overseas. Help troop morale by participating this year; you can buy the candy back from your kids. Some families go with $0.10 per piece, or if you have a scale at home, you could pay per pound. Candy buyback programs, especially Operation Gratitude, are a great way to teach your kids a valuable lesson about caring for others (and their teeth). In addition to Halloween …

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City of Laurel Hosts Trick-or-Treating Tonight

City of Laurel officials say it's safe to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.

Laurel Mayor Craig A. Moe announced Tuesday afternoon that the city's youngest residents will be able to go trick-or-treating on Oct. 31. Although with Superstorm Sandy's arrival meant kids were worried that the sweetest holiday of the year would be cancelled, cleanup has gone smoothly and Moe said sidewalks would be cleared of debris, officials said.  The Halloween Trick or Treat will occur Wednesday between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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Trick-or-Treating Information for Laurel Residents

City officials are urging children and parents to stay safe this Halloween.

From the City of Laurel: Mayor Craig A. Moe has declared that Halloween Trick-or-Treat in the City of Laurel will be on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In order for all children to be safe, Mayor Moe requests that parents make sure their children have costumes that are flame resistant, will reflect light and be visible in the dark of the early evening hours. City officials ask that everyone be on the alert for trick-or-treaters in their neighborhood; walk with caution, drive with care. Laurel Police Chief Richard McLaughlin advises residents to leave their porch lights on if they wish to receive trick-or-treaters at their homes. Halloween safety tips:

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Trick-or-Treating Alternatives in Laurel, Pr. George's and More

If Halloween is more of a trick than a treat in your neighborhood, try one of these choices from some traditional Halloween fun.

If you live in a condo, apartment building or community that doesn’t welcome trick-or-treaters, finding somewhere to have some traditional Halloween fun can be downright frightening. Luckily for you, Patch has put together this handy guide to trick-or-treating alternatives Prince George’s County and surrounding communities.   Prince George’s County In Laurel, you have two options: The Tabernacle Church, 11601 S Laurel Dr Laurel, MD 20708, 301-490-3838   On Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-9 p.m., The Tabernacle Church will host Family Fun Fest – A Halloween Alternative with games, face painting, The Great Maze, puppet shows and other entertainment and free food. Cost is $1 per person. American Legion Post 60, 2 Main St, Laurel, MD, 301-725-2302 The …

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Halloween Stores: Where to Buy Costumes Locally

Use our handy guide to find a Halloween costume near you.

Finding the right costume for Halloween can haunt you for weeks ahead of time, and finding one in a traditional retail store can be downright scary. Try one of these seasonal or specialty stores in the area to locate that perfect costume for your Halloween festivities. LAUREL GREENBELT COLUMBIA WHEATON KENSINGTON BETHESDA ROCKVILLE GAITHERSBURG

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Last Chance: Discounted Tickets for Doomsday Asylum Haunted House

Get your discounted tickets for the Oct. 12 Patch Night at Doomsday Asylum Haunted House in Bowie.

Tulip Gulch Production's Doomsday Asylum Haunted House will be happening weekends through October and Halloween week, but tonight, Thursday, at midnight is your last chance to purchase advance tickets for Patch night on Oct. 12 and save $5 off admission. That’s right, if you buy your ticket online in advance and use the discount code “PATCH” (all caps) you can save $5 off the $15 advance price. Click here to buy your Patch Night Doomsday Asylum Haunted House tickets for Oct. 12.   Bowie’s longest running, locally produced haunted house is celebrating its 26th year and producers Mark Torsani and Gary Fischer promise lots of new surprises and spooky features to scare the socks off of visitors. And, as if getting your scare on wasn’t enough, …

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Pumpkin Picking in Prince George's County

Some local farms featuring pumpkin patches, hayrides and all manner of fall fun.

Crisp, cool mornings and falling leaves mean the season for pumpkin patches and hayrides has officially arrived.  Want to keep your fall festivities local? Check out Prince George's County farms for seasonal family fun.  Know of any local farms or pumpkin patches in Prince George’s County that we missed? Leave the names and addresses in the comments.

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Doomsday Asylum Haunted House: For the Community, By the Community

Mark Torsani and his business partner Gary Fischer have been putting on a haunted house in Bowie for more than 25 years.

In what they call "a hobby gone haywire" Bowie residents Mark Torsani and Gary Fischer have been scaring the socks off their neighbors and haunted house enthusiasts for more than 25 years.  It all started out on Torsani's front porch, and has now evolved to 11 nights of terror hosted in Prince George's Stadium. Tulip Gulch Production's Doomsday Asylum Haunted House is a huge production, involving dozens and dozens of volunteers, eight trailers full of props and many weeks of set up and preparation. Each year, a portion of proceeds go to support local charities.  Watch Torsani talk about how it all began, and how he and Fischer have kept the event local for all these years. The event will run weekends in October and Oct. 29-31. Tickets can …

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