Witches, aliens and ghosts showed up at schools throughout Carson City on Tuesday to celebrate Halloween. Some of the kids dressed up, too.
From individual classroom parties to schoolwide celebrations, students got a small taste of the Halloween spirit before heading out that evening in search of tricks or treats.
Empire Elementary's cafeteria turned into Dr. Frankenstein's haunt in honor of the scariest day of the year.
The cafeteria manager, Judy Bradley, dressed as Dr. Frankenstein, baker Lisa Cortez came as Frankenstein and cook/baker Mary Ann Barron dressed as Frankenstein's bride.
"The workers were wearing costumes and they were glowing in the dark," said Ashley Hayes, 10.
Students walked into the kitchen through black and orange strings draped inside the doorway to lighted jack o' lanterns and glow-in-the-dark plastic skulls.
"It was spooky," said Elizabeth Pulido, 7.
A black light cast an eerie glow as students received their food on a tray, along with a plastic skeleton.
"I liked the black light," said Ted Kidwell, 9. "It made all the white fabric glow."
The spinach was named "green slime" for the day.
"They're dying to taste it," Barron said in her scariest voice.
Principal Pat Carpenter said Halloween is an opportunity for both students and staff to have a good time.
"It's fun," she said. "I don't know who's having more fun, the kids or the adults."
Jack, the owner of Jack-in-the-Box restaurant chain, made a campaign stop at Seeliger Elementary.
Spencer Roberts showed up for his third-grade party with the large white Jack head carrying a sign that read, "vote Jack for president."
"My mom and my stepdad always make my costumes," Spencer said. "One year my mom made me Cap'n Crunch."
His teacher, Geri Moore, said she decided to have a party in her classroom before the kids outgrow the excitement of Halloween.
"This is about the last year that the kids really participate," she said.
Tiffany Leonard, 8, dressed up as a black cat.
"It's my favorite animal," she said.
Her 3-year-old sister, Tia, also dressed up as a cat and came with their mom to the class Halloween party.
"It looks like I'm the mom and she's the baby," Tiffany said.
All the students at Fremont Elementary took turns parading in front of the other students to show off their costumes.
Principal Jan Sullivan, dressed as a ladybug, announced the classes one at a time as they walked across the stage.
Six-year-old Brittany Anderson dressed as a witch. She was looking forward to trick-or-treating later in the evening.
"We get to have candy," Brittany said. "And we get to see all the people, and all of their costumes are cute."
Anthony Papa, 7, dressed as a cowboy.
"I live on a farm and I'm a cowboy," he said.
