If you are looking for a good 'hometown Halloween' vibe, we have fun for the whole family," said Alison Liebgott, describing the Halloween Party in the Park. "Guests can expect a trick-or-treat walk, local vendors, hip-hop dance performances from local dance studios, Halloween contests and a spooktacular time."

The party will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, in Locust Street Park, 550 Locust St., Columbia.

The Halloween Party in the Park is a yearly event planned by Switchboard Studios & Gallery. The park will be filled with hip-hop music from DJ Madastrophic, and several dance studios will perform throughout the evening.

"This year we are welcoming in performances from different local dance studios including Studio 12 Dance and Baton, AH'mour Dance Studios and Strasburg Dance," Liebgott shared. "(We'll have) Halloween-themed hip-hop dances to bring in some funky and frightful entertainment while supporting our local performers - and of course the arts - by giving them space to showcase their talents."

The Potato Head food truck will be on-site for the party, and vendors will line the sidewalk in the park selling their products and handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. "Some vendors include The Scottish Village Witch, magician Eric Vera, Columbia High School theater department and MEH Creations," Liebgott said.

A costume contest will be held toward the end of the evening with a category for children age 17 and under and a category for adults age 18 and older.

The party will provide a perfect opportunity to enjoy a family-friendly event, Liebgott remarked.

"It started by a bunch of local volunteers that wanted to bring back the hometown Halloween festival feel to our community and give local businesses an opportunity to network and interact with the members that they are helping to serve," she said. "It became an annual event that our community looks forward to year after year - little kiddos waddling down the sidewalk in their costumes dancing to the grooves and collecting candy in a safe space, parents getting to enjoy local art and small business vendors and always some delicious grub to munch on."

As in years past, proceeds from the party will be shared with Raven Ridge Wildlife Center, a nonprofit organization that treats injured and ill wild animals.

"Raven Ridge has become a regular beneficiary for this annual event not only because they are local and close to home, but because the people who run it are doing amazing things to help bring awareness to our community about wildlife endangerment," Liebgott commented. "The rescue doesn't just take on an immense amount of critters to rehabilitate every year; they take active measures to help educate the humans around them on ways to help keep our local wildlife safe and healthy."

The party will be held rain or shine. For more information on the party, search for "Annual Halloween Party in the Park 2025" on Facebook.