Things will be getting spooky in Bryan County beginning Saturday, so get those costumes and candy buckets ready because Halloween is almost here.
Folks can enjoy an entire Halloween-themed day Saturday, when the city of Pembroke’s Downtown Development Authority and North Bryan Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Spooktacular.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with the first-ever Spooktactular 5K. The race, for runners and walkers, will travel from Bryan County High School throughout the city, including a brief hike through Northside Cemetery, then back to BCHS, according to DDA Executive Director Sharroll Fanslau. She said city officials are expecting a good turnout.
“Everybody seems to be really receptive of it,” Fanslau said. “We have over 50 entrants right now, which is really good — especially for it being the first time. Everything seems to be coming together.”
The race is timed, she said, and the fastest female and male runners will receive a pair of running shoes, compliments of Georgia Game Changers in Richmond Hill. Prizes will also be awarded to the first and second place male and female winners in various age categories.
Fanslau said runners and walkers are also encouraged to wear costumes during the 5K. In addition to the prizes for best times, there will be prizes for the most “spooktacular” costumes, she added.
Participants can register right up until the day of the race. Registration is open on www.active.com until midnight Thursday, but the registration table will open at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at BCHS.
Following the race, the Spooktacular Downtown Shopping and Scavenger Hunt will begin at 10 a.m. Fanslau said race participants can pick up their scavenger hunt questionnaire after the race. Questionnaires will also be at the DDA tent in Dubois Square, where the Haunted Harvest Whistlestop Farmer’s Market will begin at 4 p.m.
“The questions may ask you what aisle something is located on in a certain business,” Fanslau said of the scavenger hunt. “If the business is not open, it’ll be a question that’ll be something they can find out very easily.”
She said the scavenger hunt will give local residents and out of town visitors an idea of what Pembroke businesses offer.
“Sometimes we get used to our local businesses and forget that what we make a run to other towns for we can get right here,” Fanslau said. “It will serve as a refresher for everyone on what our businesses have to offer, and also to let new folks know what we have to offer.”
Turning in correct answers to the scavenger hunt questionnaire will also grant participants a ticket for a free hayride during the market.
Vendors will set up shop in Dubois Square from 4-7 p.m., offering carnival style foods, pizza, funnel cakes, bake sales and more. Judging for a pie bake-off will also take place during the market, which is also costume friendly, Fanslau said.
The fourth annual Spooktacular Pumpkin Carving Contest hosted by the North Bryan Chamber of Commerce will begin at 5 p.m. in the square. Entering a pumpkin is free, but it must be carved before it is entered. Cash prizes and gift certificates will be awarded to the best carved pumpkins in three categories: team, adult and children.
Following the market’s conclusion, kids and families can enjoy watching “Scooby Doo and the Ghost” in the square.
Vendors who wish to participate in the market still have until 5 p.m. Friday to contact Fanslau. This will be the last market of the year, she added.
For more information about any of the Spooktacular Saturday events in Pembroke, contact Fanslau at 653-4413.

Other Halloween activities in Bryan County:
* New Life Church on Highway 144 just outside Richmond Hill will host a Trunk or Treat event at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The event will offer candy, games, prizes and more. The event is costume friendly, but the church asks parents to refrain from creepy or scary costumes. For more information, call 727-3369.
* Official trick-or-treating hours for the city of Richmond Hill are from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday.
* Official trick-or-treating hours for the city of Pembroke are from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday.
* First Baptist Church of Richmond Hill will host a Halloween Block Party from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday. The costume-friendly event is open to the public and will feature live music, dance performances, bounce houses and carnival games. For more information, call 756-2196.
* First Baptist Church of Pembroke will host a trunk-or-treat event from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the church parking lot. Candy, games, free food and more will be available. For more information, call 653-4952.