Have you got your costumes yet? Have you stocked up on candy? Are you ready for all the thrills, chills and fun coming up next week on Halloween? If you’re looking for something to do, there’s plenty of community gatherings and events taking place in celebration of the holiday. Check out what the Homer Chamber of Commerce or other local businesses are planning! For other details, check out these Best Bets.

BEST CREEPY CRITTER CELEBRATION BET: Join the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Oct. 25-26 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. to learn about some not-so-spooky animal species, including bats, spiders, owls, wolves, ravens and more! Activities will include a creepy critters discovery lab, “spooky species” exhibits, and an interactive scavenger hunt. Last admittance is at 8 p.m. This event is family friendly and costumes are encouraged. 95 Sterling Highway.

BEST CANDIDATE FORUM BET: KBBI and the Peninsula Clarion, in partnership with KDLL and the League of Women Voters, will present a live forum, open to the public, with Alaska State House District 6 candidates at the Homer Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. Community members are invited to attend in person or listen to a live broadcast on KBBI AM 890 radio. The forum will also be streamed on kbbi.org, the KBBI app and the Peninsula Clarion Facebook page. Submit questions for the candidates — Sarah Vance, Brent Johnson and Dawson Slaughter — to news@kbbi.org ahead of the scheduled forum. 500 Hazel Ave.

BEST CHILD FIND SCREENINGS BET: Ninilchik and Anchor Point Child Find Developmental, Vision and Hearing Screenings will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 29 by appointment only for newborns up to age five (not yet in kindergarten). Learn more about your child’s speech/language development, early learning concepts, fine and gross motor skills, hearing and vision. These free screenings are completed by the Sprout Infant Learning Program and the KPBSD Child Find Program. Anchor Point screenings will be held at Chapman School from 9-11 a.m. Ninilchik screenings will be held at Ninilchik School from 1-3 p.m. For more information, contact Kelli at 907-260-5148.

BEST HAUNTED SHIP BET: The Haunted Aspen is back! On Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 5-10:30 p.m., come brave the depths of this haunted boat on the Spit, an annual Homer tradition. The event kicks off with a “lights-on” experience for kids from 5-6:30 p.m., followed by a break for dinner from 6:30-7:15 p.m. The “lights-out” portion of the night starts at 7:30 p.m. and goes until 10:30 p.m. for those looking for a scarier adventure. Cost of admission is one canned or nonperishable good per person. Homer Spit Road.

BEST TRICK OR TREAT BET: The Pratt Museum is hosting Trick or Treat on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 4-6 p.m.! Stop by for a skeleton scavenger hunt and treats. A few animal skeletons from the museum’s collection will be out on display until the end of October for community members to see. Museum staff will also have candy and non-candy options as prizes for those who complete their scavenger hunt! Admission is free during the hours of 4-6 p.m. on Halloween. 3779 Bartlett St.

BEST ROTARY HEALTH FAIR BET: Rotary Health Fair Blood Draws are right around the corner! Quick, easy and discounted blood screenings are available through Nov. 1 at Community Christian Church. Regular blood testing is one of the most effective ways to keep track of your overall physical well-being. Being tested at routine intervals and discussing your results with a provider not only gives a snapshot of your current health, but helps to show important changes over time and determine what’s normal for you, making it easier to catch potential problems early. Find more information and book an appointment at rotaryhealthfair.org. 3838 Bartlett St.