LAHAINA – One of the largest Halloween celebrations in the Pacific returns to Front Street on Wednesday, Oct. 31, with fun activities for ghouls and goblins of all ages.

Thousands of costumed revelers are expected to take to the streets of Lahaina on Fright Night.

“These are the sorts of events that we want on Maui – good for our small town businesses and communities,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa.

“Because of Halloween on Front Street last year, our shops, hotels, restaurants and bars made money, our local families had fun and many of our visitors booked return trips to come back for October 31st again this year.

“We are hoping for another fun and safe event for everyone this year,” Arakawa added.

The County of Maui, working together with LahainaTown Action Committee, has put together a schedule of events and a transportation schedule for shuttles to and from Front Street from Central and South Maui.

Front Street will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking from Baker to Prison Street from 3:30 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 31.

Led by Grand Marshals Ruth and Joe McKay, the 34th celebration of the Keiki Halloween Costume Parade on Front Street begins at 4:30 p.m. The procession will kickoff with bagpiper Paul Tangonan.

The popular parade is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lahaina, Rotary Club of Sunrise Lahaina and the Soroptimists of West Maui.

Keiki will line up on the corner of Papalaua and Front streets at 4:15 p.m. Maui children are invited to come in costume and parade down Front Street to Banyan Tree Park and receive a congratulatory ribbon and bag of treats.

Come meet Mayor Arakawa and his wife, Anne, and enjoy music by the Lahainaluna High School Marching Band and attendants.

At Banyan Tree Park, keiki walk across the stage to show off their costumes and provide parents an opportunity for pictures.

Registration for LAC’s major Costume Contest will held in the Pioneer Inn retail store on Hotel Street from 6 to 8:45 p.m.

In Banyan Tree Park from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., enjoy music with Deejay Ron from 007 Productions, sponsored by Fleetwood’s on Front St.

Sponsored by Honu Seafood & Pizza and Mala Ocean Tavern, the costume contest will be held on stage under the Banyan Tree from 7 to 9 p.m. with emcee “Trish the Dish.” Winners will be announced at 9:30 p.m. The grand prize is $1,000.

In Campbell Park across from Lahaina Public Library, official Halloween in Lahaina 2012 T-Shirts will be on sale from noon to 10 p.m. At 3 p.m., food booths, keiki activities, photo opportunities and face painting will begin.

From 6 to 8 p.m. in Campbell Park, the Whiskey Pimps will perform. The music is sponsored by Fleetwood’s on Front St.

Halloween in Lahaina is supported by town merchants and sales of the official Halloween T-Shirt, which is on sale now at the Lahaina Visitor Center at the Old Lahaina Courthouse (open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and at Campbell Park during the event.

The County of Maui and LahainaTown Action Committee will host a family friendly event for the residents and visitors of Maui. Revelers are asked to respect Lahaina’s historically rich streets. Underage drinking, public alcohol consumption and public nudity are prohibited.

A first aid station, LahainaTown Action Committee tent and lost person tent will be located in Banyan Tree Park.

Port-a-potties will be located throughout town, including Papalaua Street, Lahainaluna Road, the Fleetwood’s On Front St. alleyway, Market Street and Canal Street.

For more information, go to www.visitlahaina.com or call Lynn Donovan at 667-9175.

The Lahaina Halloween Express will have shuttle buses departing from War Memorial parking lot in Wailuku and Kalama Park in Kihei. Advance tickets on sale now are $3 each way, cash only. Check in at Campbell Park for available tickets departing to Wailuku and Kihei on Halloween night.

Halloween Express tickets are on sale at Kahului Super Stop at 370 Dairy Road and Blackie’s Pit Stop at 30 Manao Kala St. in Kihei.

The Kaanapali Islander and Napili Islander buses will run on an extended schedule on Halloween night.