St. James emergency responders will be holding a Howl-O-Ween Stroll on Oct. 12 to raise donations of candy for this year’s Operation Sweetness drive. Entry is to the event is just one bag of candy.

The event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Tourist Information Center, located at 134 State Highway B. Entertainment includes a Halloween decorated walk, a photo booth and prizes.

Shelter dogs will be available for viewing throughout the day. Emergency responders are encouraging participants to dress in their Halloween costumes, along with their dogs if they are friendly, vaccinated and leashed, for photos and prizes. Everyone is welcome, even without a pet.

There will be a fun walking trail, door prizes, treat bags for the first 24 participants, a raffle, Blossom the mini-horse and a treat station. A quieter stroll will be offered at 2:30 p.m. for those who prefer smaller crowds. There will also be an Adopt-a-Stuffie station for those without a pet who’d like something to walk with.

Those who can’t participate in the day of the event, but want to donate candy or money to the cause, may drop off donations at the St. James Police Department, St. James Marketplace Cafe, Scissor Shack and Country Bob’s. Family Dollar has also set up a special table where anyone who purchases candy can donate it there, and emergency responders will pick up the donations to be included.

Emergency responders have been working hard to support Operation Sweetness, holding a friendly rivalry at the Sept. 19 community tailgate party during the first home football game. St. James police won the most cash donations accepted, and the St. James Fire Department took the win for candy donations.

Operation Sweetness is a special cooperative donation drive between local first responders. The goal of the drive is to ensure every veteran who resides in the Missouri Veterans Home has enough candy to hand out on Halloween night. It also provides a space for children in the community to have a fun, safe Halloween.