CLARKSBURG -- Lisa Furbee Ford is one of the 32 business owners who gathered their candy stashes for the Clarksburg Halloween Fall Festival.

"It gets bigger and bigger every year," said Ford, who owns the Goff Building. "There are so many children that participate and have so much fun. Everyone should be here to see all the ghosts and goblins. They're just as cute as they can be."

Each year, the city shuts Main Street down on a weeknight before Halloween, and the ghosts and goblins can enjoy a thriller night, helping out homeless pets in the process.

Organizers from the Greater Clarksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau say the safe environment brings everyone out for some Halloween fun.

"These days everyone's concerned about that, especially the really little ones, and it makes it very easy to go door to door to businesses," said Kathie Titus. "You know the candy they're going to be giving is going to be safe."

"It's a good chance to get the kids out," said parent David Posey. "Have them walk around, get some energy out and enjoy getting some candy for the evening."

Festivities for the evening included child and pet costume contests, a Thriller Dance contest, and lots and lots of candy.

"It's nice because you get to do it today and you get to do it Saturday, too," said 11-year-old James Lowe.

All the proceeds from today's event will go toward the Harrison County Humane Society to find dogs and cats a forever home.

"We're also trying to not only find forever homes for our cats and dogs and puppies and kittens, but we're trying to get the word out about our spay and neuter programs," said Shannon Walajtys from the Humane Society. "That way we can keep the number of unwanted pets down and keep the fewest number of pets in our shelter as possible.

For a list of when the Witching Hour begins in your town, click the link below.