More than 80 businesses and nonprofits will hand out candy along Ballard Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 29, when Boo on Ballard returns to downtown Wylie.

The free event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. The route stretches from Highway 78 north to Brown Street, according to the Wylie Times event listing. No tickets, registration or wristbands are required.

The Wylie Downtown Merchants Association and the City of Wylie present the event. The Cross Church Trunk-or-Treat is also listed as a host on the Discover Wylie event page. The merchants association describes the evening as its way of thanking the community for supporting downtown businesses throughout the year.

Families who arrive early can head straight to Olde City Park for Glow in the Park, which opens at 5:30 p.m. and runs until 8:30 p.m. The park sits at the northern end of the trick-or-treat route. Programming there includes a zipline, mechanical bulls and inflatables.

Boo on Ballard runs along the street while Glow in the Park fills Olde City Park at the route's northern anchor. The Discover Wylie page also lists live music and carnival games as part of the evening's lineup.

Wylie-area October calendar

  • Saturday, Oct. 17: Sachse Fall-O-Ween, 4 to 8 p.m. at Heritage Park, 4408 Hudson Drive. Sachse's third annual fall festival.
  • Friday, Oct. 23: Wylie Gospel Fellowship free fall festival, evening.
  • Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24: Wylie Whispers Downtown Ghost Tours, departing from the Brown House Welcome Center on the half hour from 7 to 9 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Wylie Historical Society, Smith Public Library and Wylie Parks and Recreation. Ages 12 and up.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24: Wylie Church of Christ fall festival, all day, 901 S. Ballard Ave. Carnival games, pumpkins, hay and hot chocolate.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27: Spooky Night at the Rita and Truett Smith Public Library, 300 Country Club Road, 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29: Boo on Ballard, 6 to 8 p.m., and Glow in the Park, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., downtown Wylie.

The next confirmed downtown event after Halloween week is the Wylie Farmers Market's second annual Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Olde City Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.