Once again, the historic square in downtown Buchanan will be taken over by ghosts and goblins, witches and princesses, and maybe a few super heros during this year’s annual Pumpkin Caper.

On Tuesday, Oct. 30, the Haralson County Historical Society and the Friends of the Buchanan-Haralson Public Library will team up to provide and evening of fun for area children. The festivities start at 6 p.m.

Residents are asked to decorate a pumpkin for the annual pumpkin contest and bring it to the square any time the day of the event. While it sits on display, other residents will get the chance to check out your work while the judges make their pick. This year’s event theme is “Political Pumpkins.”

“Those who are decorating pumpkins don’t have to follow the theme,” said event coordinator and Haralson County Historical Society President Karen Higgins, “but we figured since it’s an election year, we would go with political pumpkins.”

As always, area primary and elementary schoolers will be participating in the pumpkin decorating contest; however, anyone else in invited to join in. There will be two ribbons each for first, second and third place, and every pumpkin will receive a participation ribbon.

“We know times are tough,” Higgins said. “So they don’t have to decorate a big pumpkin, a little one will do just fine.”

Decorators can choose any political figure or topic, past or present, local or national.

“We’re all really anxious to see how creative they get,” Higgins said.

Higgins says she hopes the new seat walls around the Library are completely full of pumpkins this year.

In addition to a pumpkin decorating contest, there will also be the annual Parent-Teacher Organization sponsored costume contest on the second floor of the historic courthouse, which currently houses the Buchanan-Haralson Public Library. There will be a small fee to participate, and children will be divided into age groups.

As usual, all event-goers are encouraged to visit all the businesses in Buchanan, which will be handing out candy.

New to this year’s event are a swing ride and petting zoo, which will also require a small fee.

The annual Pumpkin Caper is, after all, a fund raiser, so the Historical Society and Library will be selling cupcakes for 50 cents and $1; and a hot dog, chips and a drink for $3.

While Higgins says this isn’t the largest fundraiser the group holds each year, the funds that are raised will go toward boxing and shelving for the Historical Society’s archives to prevent the decaying of records.

Anyone who submits a pumpkin to the contest is asked to pick it up the night of the Pumpkin Caper or the next morning.

While Christmas may seem far away, Higgins says it’s time for anyone wishing to participate in the annual Festival of Trees to begin making plans to drop off their themed and decorated tree at the Library. Participants can drop off trees beginning on Nov. 19. Voting will begin on Nov. 26. Residents can visit the Library during regular business hours to cast their vote for their favorite tree. The Festival of Trees event will be held on Dec. 1.