There’s more than one way to celebrate Halloween, and lower Kenai Peninsula schools this year showed they know just how to do it.

One of the bigger celebrations was at McNeil Canyon Elementary, which hosted its annual Fall Carnival on Friday, Oct. 27 at the school.

From a haunted house that could be toned up or down depending on its audience and a bounce house, to a costume contest and countless games, every inch of the carnival was covered in fun to be had by kids and parents.

The carnival is one of the school’s two main annual fundraisers put on by the Community Council, said council president Theresa Engebretsen. By keeping the fundraising to just two major events, she said the school simplifies things for the community.

The fundraisers support the Artists in the Schools program, swim lessons, robotics and more for the students, Engebretsen said.

“All of our booths are homemade,” she said of the carnival.

A new addition this year was a skee-ball booth, made by some local parents, which Engebretsen said was proving very popular.

The fact that the carnival is so community-led is what makes it special and enjoyable, she said.

“The booths are run by parents, the food is made by the parents,” she said. “Every part of it is parent, family-run and it’s really fun.”

Closer within Homer’s borders, both West Homer Elementary and Paul Banks Elementary held costume parades on Halloween, which fell on Tuesday.

Parents came to watch their little ghosts, goblins and other creatures march around the school to show off their creativity.

Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@homernews.com.

West Homer Elementary student Natalie Farren finishes lunch in her rabbit costume Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at the school in Homer, Alaska. Schools across the lower peninsula had costume parades and other celebrations for Halloween. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Elementary school student Cohen McBride walks as a blue bird in the Paul Banks Elementary School Halloween costume parade Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Fletcher Darr, an elementary student, walks in a Halloween costume parade as a transformer Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at Paul Banks Elementary School in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Students at Paul Banks Elementary School strut their stuff during the school’s Halloween costume parade Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Jennifer Olson, a teacher a Paul Banks Elementary School, walks in the school’s Halloween costume parade as “A Bad Case of the Stripes” on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)