DOVER — Warning: Ghosts, zombies, witches and other unsavory — and some not so unsavory — characters will be on the prowl in downtown Dover tonight. The Dover Police Department has joined with the Downtown Dover Partnership for the inaugural free Safe Trick-or-Treat event from 6 until 7:30 p.m. taking place around Legislative Mall. “We are so excited to be partnering with the Dover Police Department for this event,” said Tina Bradbury, of the DDP. “It’s just a wonderful commitment to one another to reinvest in our community and a chance to work together and have a fun event for everybody. “We’re excited and we hope the kids will be ecstatic with the event.” Before the Safe Trick-or-Treat event will be a Halloween Parade and Contest. Children will be able to register for the event put on by the Downtown Dover Partnership at 5 p.m. at Loockerman Way Plaza, 126 W. Loockerman St. The parade will begin shortly before 6 p.m. at Loockerman Way Plaza and will proceed east on Loockerman Street before making a right onto Federal Street, where it will end at the Dover Police Trick-or-Treat event. The streets surrounding Legislative Mall will be filled with police cars, fire trucks, emergency equipment, local businesses and organizations as costumed (and un-costumed) children will get an opportunity to trick-or-treat at each display. Families will get a chance to meet their local police and fire personnel, explore the vehicles and equipment they use and get to know more about local businesses and organizations and what they offer to the community — all while trick-or-treating. The Downtown Dover Partnership will also have a variety of food trucks on site and will provide free activities such as a pumpkin painting station for children. DJ Chino will provide entertainment and there will be dance performances by En Pointe Studio. All of the events and activities will be free. The first 1,000 kids will receive a custom Dover Police Trick-or-Treat bag. While there is no age limit to attend, event organizers request that only children 13 and under participate. Costumes are not required unless a child wishes to be part of the parade and costume judging for prizes. For more parade information, call 678-2940. The roads surrounding Legislative Mall will be closed to traffic and parking beginning at 5 p.m. to ensure the safety of attendees and allow them to explore all the historic area has to offer. Streets that will be closed include: Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (North and South) from Legislative Avenue to Federal Street and Legislative Avenue and Federal Street between North and South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. “This should just be a great opportunity for kids to just go around and get all the candy in one place and see all the police and fire emergency vehicles and all of the other things around Legislative Mall,” Ms. Bradbury said. “It’s a safe environment and the candy will be provided by trustworthy local businesses and organizations, so I think parents will be really excited about this for their children.”