Barring a last-minute, not forecasted blizzard, Homer kids may enjoy a rare pleasure on Sunday, Halloween: trick or treating in costumes not worn over snowsuits. That can always be a risk here in Alaska. Clever costume designers can work around the challenge of bulky, insulated coveralls. Think Jedis in flowing robes or the classic single white sheet ghost. If it’s really wretched, some parents have gone to Plan B, the inflatable dinosaur. Any port in a storm.

With our mild fall, goblins and ghouls oh my should be able to descend upon The Views in force, sucking up the entire southern Kenai Peninsula candy supply in one invasion that rivals Normandy. Some techie refugee new to the area of Bayview, Mountain View et al. will be in a for a surprise come Halloween night. Fortunately, the good folks at Story Real Estate have been taking donations to help out our downtown neighbors.

We’re still in COVID-19 times, the scariest thing of all, so practice social distancing when you ask for treats, kiddos., and make a mask part of your cosplay. Enjoy this weekend, maybe with these best bets:

BEST TRICK-OR-TREATING BET: Whenever anyone asks “trick or treat,” notice how no one ever says “trick?” Ever wonder what spooky things would happen if someone did? Maybe the Betster will try it out while trick-or-treating in the Mountain View and Bayview neighborhoods this Sunday, Oct. 31! Maybe the residents at the Anchor Point Senior Citizen Center can share some wisdom on the matter from their experiences during the trunk-or-treat event Sunday at 3 p.m. or even the veterans at the Anchor Point VFW during their Halloween Bash on Saturday, Oct. 30. The Betster is sure there will be some sweet tricks and treats at the WeSkate Halloween Bash at the Kevin Bell Arena on Oct. 31. Perhaps during the Haven House Halloween drive-thru at Homer Thrift on Sunday, the answer will be found. Needless to say, the Betster has a lot of plans to collect as much candy as they can this Halloween, so check out all of the happening haunts this weekend in Homer and Anchor Point! Happy Halloween!

BEST HALLOWEEN DONATION BET: The Story Real Estate annual Halloween Candy Drive to provide candy for the Bayview and Mountain View neighborhoods is taking candy donations through Friday, Oct. 29. Story Real Estate matches all donations and delivers about 100 reusable bags filled with candy to each participating home in the area. For more information or to donate, contact Zoe Story at 907-298-3621.

BEST FALL CANDLE BET: If you love candles like the Betster does, then check out tonight and tomorrow’s candle-making classes with Jana Kralick at Homer Council on the Arts! Spend two hours Thursday and Friday learning the history of candles and chandlery around the world while making your own 14-ounce plant-based, vegan wax candle to take home. Participants will design their own custom fragrance. Registration costs $45 for general or $40 for HCOA members per candle, and all supplies will be provided. Register at homerart.org.

BEST BOOK BET: Join The Pratt Museum & Park on Nov. 5 for the “Cold Mountain Path” by local author Tom Kizzia book launch. “Cold Mountain Path” revisits the story-rich landscape of Kizzia’s previous national bestseller, “Pilgrim’s Wilderness.” The story begins with the last copper train leaving the Wrangell Mountains during the Great Depression, and runs through the creation of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in the 1980s, including a full account of the 1983 mass shooting that brought the ghost town period to an end. The book launch begins at 7 p.m. at The Pratt Museum & Park. Space is limited for this event and masks are required. RSVP to reserve a seat or to receive the zoom link by contacting Holly at hatkins@prattmuseum.org or call 907-435-3335.

BEST WRITING BET: Are you a writer who wants to share your works? You’re in luck because the 24th annual Kenai Peninsula Writers’ Contest is currently open through Dec. 10! Peninsula residents of all ages are invited to submit their best poetry, fiction and nonfiction pieces for a chance to win prizes such as cash, Homer Bucks and local gift certificates. Each category and division will award first, second and third place prizes. The categories include poetry, fiction and nonfiction in age divisions for adults or open, grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Each submission has an entry fee of $10 for the adult/open category and $3 for grades K-12. Find out more about the contest at homerart.org/writers-contest.

A little girl shows off the rock she found during the Homer Rocks Halloween scavenger hunt at the Islands and Oceans Center on Sunday, Oct. 24. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)