By Nicole Trujillo (ENMU The Chase)

Halloween is quickly approaching and if you’re looking for some fun activities to attend, there’s a number of activities going on around the Eastern New Mexico University and Portales communities.

The Eastern New Mexico University Housing and Residence Life is hosting a Safe House trick-or-treating event on Oct. 31. The event will be 6-8 p.m. at the ENMU Curry dormitory. Each dorm is decorating a hallway in a theme of their choice and will be dressing up to fit their theme. Guadalupe Hall’s theme is Toy Story, while Eddy Hall’s theme is The Avengers, and Curry Hall’s theme is Coco.

Any students and or family/friends of students can volunteer to help decorate, give out candy, or supply donations for the event.

“ENMU conducts the Halloween Safe House, because it’s important to be a positive member of the Portales community. We appreciate the support Portales provides to the university, and we look forward to the opportunity to give back to the Portales community,” stated Steve Estock, director of housing.

For more information, contact Housing and Residence Life at 575-562-2632.

The Eastern New Mexico University Forensic Science Society will be hosting a Trunk-or-Treat outside Curry Hall during the Safe House Trick or Treating Event. The event has been a tradition for the Forensic Science Society group. This year, they decided to add games and activities for children.

“We do this event every year to provide a fun and safe event for the kids of our community. The season and theme are very similar to what people think the nature of our field is; it’s very fitting. We have fun decorating our cars for the event and seeing the smiles on the children’s faces,” stated Rebecca Quintana, coordinator of the event.

The Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the annual Downtown Safe Trick-or-Treat 3-5:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 around the downtown area. A map of all the locations participating in the event will be available on the Chamber of Commerce Facebook page soon.

A majority of downtown businesses participate in the event and hand out candy to about 3,000 children who visit the area.

Times Remembered Photography Studio will be offering free portraits of children in their costumes in exchange for a donation to the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico.

There will also be a costume contest that will be held on the south side of the square.

“We had someone bring up the idea of doing this a few years back, but it was so last minute. So, the following year we decided to put it together, and it’s been a huge success since. We’ve been doing this for nearly five to six years, and it’s continuing to grow as the years go on,” stated Karl Terry, chamber of commerce director.

For more information, contact the chamber of commerce at 575-356-8541.

The Eastern New Mexico baseball team is hosting their annual Halloween game at 5:45 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the ENMU Baseball Complex. The event will be the final stop for the City of Portales Downtown Safe Trick-or-Treat. All players on the team will be dressed up in their favorite Halloween costumes.

The event will include T-shirts and prize giveaways, and children will have the opportunity to run the bases after the game. There will be plenty of candy to be handed out and a “best costume” award for fans.

The First Baptist Church will be hosting a Safe Trick-or-Treating event 3-5:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in their church parking lot, located at 100 S. Avenue C. They will be giving out candy, books, and water bottles. They will also have free food, as well as a bouncy house.

“A few years back, our church decided to see how we could partner with the community and what they’re doing to reach out. Other businesses on the square were participating in the square safe trick-or-treating event, so we decided to participate as well to get more involved,” stated Sara Keller, event coordinator and children’s minister.

For more information, contact First Baptist Church at 575-356-6761.