The University of Virginia will host its annual “Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn” for families on Oct. 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. The event takes place a day earlier than normal in order to alleviate visitor parking concerns and other conflicts that would have been inevitable with Saturday’s home football game.

UVA’s trick-or-treating tradition, established by students in the late 1980s, is open to the local community. Children are invited to wear costumes and participate in trick-or-treating at each of the 54 Lawn rooms. All candy is donated and distributed by approximately 70 student groups and other organizations.

Lawn residents host the event, receiving additional support from the offices of Housing and Residence Life, Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Facilities Management, Parking & Transportation and the University Police Department. Emergency medical technicians from Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad will be available during the event, and a lost child station, marked by balloons and signage, will be located on the south steps of Old Cabell Hall.

Due to ongoing renovations at the Rotunda, the entry and exit point for this year’s event is the southern end of the Lawn near Old Cabell Hall. Volunteers will direct families to that area.

Allergen-free treats will be available for children and students with severe allergies in Room 1 West, said Vanessa Ehrenpreis, head Lawn resident and a fourth-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences.

In addition to trick-or-treating, families will have the opportunity to enjoy “Fall Fest” in the McIntire Amphitheater, also running from 4 to 6 p.m. Hosted by student organizations Dance Marathon and Phi Sigma Pi, the festival will feature a mix of recreational activities, including face painting, pumpkin painting and corn hole games. Students will be stationed at tables providing information related to their organizations, and UVA a cappella groups will perform.

Public restrooms will be available at Old Cabell Hall, Alderman Library and Newcomb Hall.

Free parking for families attending the event will be available beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the E3, T4 and S6 lots at Scott Stadium and at University Hall, and beginning at 4 p.m. in the garage on Culbreth Road. Paid hourly parking is available in the Central Grounds Parking Garage on Emmet Street.

Lawn residents look forward to hundreds of children participating in the festivities and encourage University students to attend, too.

“Students consistently jump at the opportunity to pass out candy because it connects them to a communal side of the University and Charlottesville they rarely get to experience,” Ehrenpreis said. “Not only does Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn put into perspective just how big and vibrant Charlottesville is, it puts students right in the thick of it, and hopefully inspires them to engage in the greater community more. We are very excited to welcome families for another year filled with candy, costumes and fun!”