MATT GENTRY The Roanoke Times

Trick-or-treaters from Sowers Day Care in Christiansburg ride the elevator to the second floor while making the rounds in the Montgomery County Government Center on Friday. At top: A skeleton head greets visitors at the center.

| Mary Hardbarger

mary.hardbarger@roanoke.com, 381-1679

CHRISTIANSBURG -- Even though Halloween was a day away, a number of ghouls and goblins were spotted Friday running around the New River Valley.

With Halloween falling on a Saturday for the first time since 1998, many children and adults are out to make it a two-day extravaganza.

Trick-or-treaters filled the decorated halls of the Montgomery County Government Center on Friday as employees handed out candy and other goodies.

For the second year, the center offered this to the community, and from the employees to the visitors, everyone seemed to share in the Halloween spirit.

Ruth Richey, public information director for Montgomery County, waited in the main lobby of the building eagerly awaiting the arrival of the children. She said this event is an opportunity for members of the community to see the center in a different light.

"Rather than come here to pay bills or check on taxes, parents can come in with their kids on this fun occasion and get to know our employees on an informal basis," she said.

Walking and running up and down the halls, the hippies, cowboys, super heroes and princesses visited the center's different departments, including the parks and recreation office.

Mitchell Haugh, director of Montgomery County Parks and Recreation, is the mastermind behind the idea.

Decked out in a giant bunny costume, Haugh interacted with the kids as they passed through.

"It's a great way to get citizens in the building," he said. "When I suggested the idea, everybody seemed really into it, and it's turned out to be a success."

Among the throng of children was a group of 2- to 5-year-olds visiting from Sowers Day Care in Christiansburg.

Teresa Sowers and Melissa Chrisley had their hands full putting on masks and retying shoes.

Chrisley's niece, Makayla Cheatham, was dressed as a dog named Fee Fee and said she "loved her costume."

Chrisley said Makayla had gotten treats once this week at Radford University and would be going out again tonight behind Christiansburg High School.

"It's been going on all week," Chrisley said.

Hailey Keith, 8, sporting a "punk-rocker" costume, said she was excited for another round of games and goodies. She said she would wear the same costume again tonight at her church.

And the employees weren't shy about dressing up, either.

From a green M&M to a Christmas elf, they greeted passers-by and gawked at one another's costumes.

"We love it," said Joyce Bain, an employee at the center.