Governor hands out treats

It's Halloween tradition for Raquel Abowd to bring her children to trick-or-treat at the Governor's Mansion.

"I like the safety of the neighborhood with the streets closed," she said. "I like that they get into the spirit of Halloween with all the decorations and fun. It's not just about the candy."

But her 3-year-old daughter, Abby Coombs, dressed as Tinkerbell, wasn't convinced.

"I like the candy," she said.

Each year, the governor hands out candy to children in front of the decorated mansion as trick-or-treaters weave through monsters, ghosts and pumpkins to get to the steps.

Parents began lining up Friday before 5 p.m., accompanied by all sorts of creatures and characters ranging from a leopard and monkey to super heroes and Dorothy from the "Wizard of Oz."

One Power Ranger burst into tears and had to be consoled after being accidentally bonked in the head by a princess' candy bucket.

Brooke Robinson, 7, dressed as a "go-go girl" in a silver-sequined dress and knee-high boots.

"I saw one in a magazine," she said. "I liked the high-heel boots."

Drama students from Carson High School performed as blue mimes with silver hair for those waiting in line.

"The kids get really involved," said Chelsea Lopez, 16, a junior. "They like to play games with us, and they beg us to talk. But we never do."

Halloween was celebrated a day early in Carson City this year to avoid a conflict with the Nevada Day festivities today.

"It's a wonderful thing," said Tom Ferrara, who brought his 7-year-old granddaughter, Lilin, dressed as a firefighter out to trick-or-treat. "Tomorrow we're going to spend the morning watching the parade then going to get some chili without having to worry about trick-or-treating. It will make tomorrow a lot more fun and tonight a lot more fun, too."