By Blake Deshazo | The Selma Times-Journal

Monsters will take over the streets of downtown Selma on Halloween for the annual Monster March down Broad Street.

Jerria Martin, interim Main Street Selma executive director, said this year’s march is going to be one of the biggest yet.

“This year it is going to be bigger than ever,” Martin said. “We’re going to have sponsors this year so no money is being spent by the city or by Main Street. It is all sponsored by businesses in downtown.”

Face painting and registration will start at 3:30 p.m. at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library, and the march will start at 4 p.m. Children dressed in their costumes will be led down one side of Broad Street by the Selma High School Drum Line to Water Avenue and up the other side of Broad Street and over to Selma City Hall.

Businesses along Broad Street will pass out candy as the trick or treaters make their way along the route.

Once the march is over a costume contest will be held at City Hall. Each sponsor will present an award and cash prize based on different categories like best costume, most spirited and scariest costume.

“They’re going to be judging more than just the costume or the appearance but also the character of the kids that are coming out and showing the most spirit,” Martin said.

But the children won’t be the only ones having fun this year. Main Street Selma is teaming up with the Blackbelt Benefit Group to put on the Monster Mash Bash for adults.

“We really want the community to come out to this because this is a new event,” Martin said. “We always have something for the kids every year, but this is something for the adults for us to come and just have a chance to hang out, dress up and be big kids.”

The bash will also have a costume contest where the winner takes home a prize and free bar tab.

The bash will be Saturday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. until 12 a.m. at Old Warren’s Tavern next to Side Porch Sandwiches. A $5 donation to Main Street Selma is required and people must be at least 18 years old to attend.