Are you looking for something different to do for this year's Halloween. A variety of events are planned for Oct. 30-31 in the New River Valley -- everything from "safe" parties for the little ones, trick-or-treating, haunted tours and festivities suitable for adults only. So get your costume ready and check out one of these events:

OCT. 30

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Bring carved, painted or otherwise embellished pumpkin to enter the Blacksburg library's contest. Pumpkins will be displayed until noon Saturday morning, and families participating in the Saturday morning Storytime will cast their ballots for their favorite pumpkin.

When: All day

Where: Blacksburg library, 200 Miller St.

Cost: Free

Contact: 552-8246

Spooktacular Halloween Fun

Come to the Blacksburg library dressed in costume for Halloween crafts, activities and treats for all ages.

When: 3:30 p.m.

Where: Blacksburg library, 200 Miller St.

Cost: Free

Contact: 552-8246

Halloween Hoopla Date

Put on your costumes for the ghostly gathering of games and goodies.

When: 6 to 8 p.m. for ages 7 and younger; 8 to 9 p.m. for ages 8 to 12

Where: Christiansburg Recreation Center, 1600 N. Franklin St.

Cost: Free

Contact: 382-2349

Halloween Safety Party

For children 12 and younger. With candy, refreshments, games and prizes. Costumes are optional. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by VFW 5311 and the Ladies Auxiliary.

When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: VFW Post Home, 490 N. High St., Christiansburg

Cost: Free

Contact: Wilma Mabry, 552-0381

Trick-or-Treating

The Montgomery County Government Center will have candy and treats for ghouls and goblins.

When: 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg

Cost: Free

Contact: 394-2145

Pulaski Halloween Treat Trail

Maps are available at the Greater Pulaski Alliance office in the Maple Shade Shopping Center or at Coffee Buy the Book.

When: 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Where: Downtown Pulaski

Contact: 994-4200

Oak Lane Community Trick-or-Treat

Greek volunteers from the Panhellenic Council at Virginia Tech will take children from house to house in the community to trick-or-treat. There will also be face-painting, pumpkin carving and more.

When: 4 to 7 p.m.

Where: Oak Lane Community, Virginia Tech

Cost: Free

Contact: 231-7186

Mystery Dinner Theater

Reservations are required by Oct. 28. An evening of sleuthing and a catered dinner when the Christiansburg library presents the Halloween mystery "Evil Never Dies."

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Christiansburg library, 125 Sheltman St.

Cost: Free

Contact: 382-6965, ext. 15, to make reservations

Ghost Tours

Learn about Radford's most terrifying ghost stories. Participants will take tours of homes, businesses and other sites that are, according to legend, haunted. For ages 13 and older only. Tickets are available at the Radford Visitor's Center in the Glencoe Museum.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Radford Visitor's Center in the Glencoe Museum

Cost: $5

Contact: 267-3153

Trail of Terror and Haunted Barn

A Southern-style horror adventure. Not suitable for children younger than 12. Shuttles will take participants to the barn from Auburn High School.

When: 8 p.m. to midnight

Where: Auburn High School, 4163 Riner Road, Riner

Cost: $10; parking, $2

Contact: www.duesouthbbq.com

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

The famous cult show returns to campus with a live cast and audience participation. Survival packs with everything you need to throw during the performance will be for sale at the door.

When: 10 p.m.

Where: Squires Commonwealth Ballroom, Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech

Cost: $3

Contact: Robert Sebek, 231-1849, www.rocky-horror.org.vt.edu

OCT. 31

Trick-or-Treat at Meadowbrook

Trick-or-treating and a spooky scavenger hunt are planned.

When: All day

Where: Meadowbrook library, 267 Alleghany Spring Road, Shawsville

Cost: Free

Contact: 268-1964

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Bring carved, painted or otherwise embellished pumpkin to enter the Blacksburg library's contest. Pumpkins will be displayed until noon morning, and families participating in the Saturday morning Storytime will cast their ballots for their favorite pumpkin.

When: All day

Where: Blacksburg library, 200 Miller St.

Cost: Free

Contact: 552-8246

Spooktacular Halloween Fun

Come to the library dressed in costume for Halloween crafts, activities and treats for all ages.

When: 11 a.m.

Where: Christiansburg library, 125 Sheltman St.

Cost: Free

Contact: 382-6965

Kid and Dog Costume Contest

Come to downtown Radford and see who has the scariest costumes.

When: 11 a.m.

Where: Radford farmers market parking lot

Cost: Free

Contact: Main Street Radford, 731-3656

Hallelujah (Un-Halloween) Event

Children 12 and younger may come dressed in costume (family-friendly costumes such as animals, Bible characters or heroes). There will be games and crafts, candy, snacks and more.

When: 1 to 5 p.m.

Where: Max Creek Baptist Church, 3000 Old Route 100 Road, Draper

Cost: Free

Contact: Sandra@maxcreek.org, www.maxcreek.org

Cemetery Tour

The Blacksburg Museum is sponsoring a guided tour through the town cemetery with historian April Danner, who has researched the graves of many of the town's early residents.

When: 1 p.m.

Where: Westview Cemetery, Roanoke Street, Blacksburg

Cost: Free

Contact: Terry Nicholson, 558-0746, museum@blacksburg.gov

Halloween Happenings

Halloween fun for the family including trick-or-treating downtown, a play at the Lyric, costume contests for adults and children, the Blacksburg High School Marching Band, fire performers and more.

When: 2 to 8 p.m.

Where: Downtown Blacksburg

Cost: Play tickets, $3

Contact: Laureen Blakemore, 951-0454, www.downtownblacksburg.com

Trail of Treats

Trick-or-treating with Radford Main Street Merchants. Parents and kids are welcome to dress in their favorite costumes, bring treat bags and visit area shops.

When: 3 to 6 p.m.

Where: Downtown Radford

Cost: Free

Contact: Main Street Radford, 731-3656

Trick-or-Treat Parade

Ghosts and goblins 10 and younger are invited to the New River Valley Mall's annual parade.

When: 5 to 7 p.m.

Where: New River Valley Mall, Christiansburg

Cost: Free

Contact: www.shopnewrivervalleymall.com

Halloween Carnival

The annual event provides a fun, safe, and supervised observance of Halloween. Co-sponsored by Blacksburg Parks and Recreation and the Virginia Tech chapter of Circle K.

When: 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive

Cost: $2

Contact: 961-1149

Creepy-Spook-Tacular Halloween Party

With a costume contest, fun and games, guests and prizes.

When: 6:30 to 11 p.m.

Where: Adventure World Skate and Fun Center, 200 Midway Plaza Drive N.W., Christiansburg

Cost: Admission, $6; skate rentals, $3

Contact: 382-1717

Halloween Dinner

With a performance by the Olivarez Trio.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Gillie's Vegetarian Cuisine, 153 College Ave., Blacksburg

Cost: Live music, free

Contact: 961-2703

Halloween Costume Party

With music by the Kind and catering by Dogtown Pizza.

When: 7 to 11:30 p.m.

Where: Pine Tavern Pavilion, 611 Floyd Highway N., Floyd

Cost: Advance, $6; at the door, $8

Contact: Pine Tavern Restaurant, 745-4482; tomryan@swva.net

Haunted Trail

A tour of one of the most haunted trails in Montgomery County. This trail has been said to have all the ghosts and ghoulish creatures that can be imagined.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Mid County Park, Cinnabar Road, Christiansburg

Cost: $5

Contact: Josh Sharitz, 382-6975, sharitzjb@montgomerycountyva.gov

Trail of Terror and Haunted Barn

A Southern-style horror adventure. Not suitable for children younger than 12. Shuttles will take participants to the barn from Auburn High School.

When: 8 p.m. to midnight

Where: Auburn High School, 4163 Riner Road, Riner

Cost: $10; parking, $2

Contact: www.duesouthbbq.com

Halloween Freak Fest

With two disc jockies, more than $2,000 in prizes and a live broadcast by Hot 100 and 105.3 The Bear.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Attitudes Bar and Grill, 900 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg

Contact: 552-7001, www.attitudesbar.com

K-92's Boo Bash

Featuring a costume contest and a $1,050 prize for best overall costume and sexiest costume.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Awful Arthur's, 213 Draper Road, Blacksburg

Contact: www.awfularthur's.com, www.k92radio.com

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

The famous cult show returns to campus with a live cast and audience participation. Survival packs with everything you need to throw during the performance will be for sale at the door.

When: 10 p.m.

Where: Squires Commonwealth Ballroom, Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech

Cost: $3

More information: Robert Sebek, 231-1849, www.rocky-horror.org.vt.edu