Sunshine and balmy temperatures and the prospect of free food, plenty of treats and spooky fun had families and children arriving in droves at the Alfredton Recreation Reserve, on Cuthberts Road.

Party goers were encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costume and there were creative outfits galore.

Event co-ordinator Kathy Rivett said at last year’s event they had given away more than 1000 sausages and they were catering for more than that this year.

She said the Alfredton Rotary Club had donated everything and the event was fully staffed by volunteers.

“It doesn’t cost anything unless people want to buy something else from the food vans,” she said.

“It is us giving back to the community,” she said.

Some of the activities for children included basketball shots and a spider-blowing, creepy game with prizes.

The club’s many projects, both local and global, range from sourcing and distributing clothes and toiletries to those in need around Ballarat and holding the fishing competition in March at Lake Wendouree and the charity Garden Party at Kingston in November.

Norman Street residents, Jodie Campbell and daughters,Nickkii and Tamika, also went all out with spooky trimmings and had cars and children arriving at her fully-decorated haunted house.

Ms Campbell said it was the fifth year she had decorated the house and laid out lollies, fruit and cupcakes for passers by.

By 5pm she had had  almost 100 children and people through and last year they went through about $400 in lollies.

“I just do it to make the kids happy,” she said.