Correspondent photo / Nancilynn Gatta Ireland Summer Miller, 6, dressed as Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” gets candy from Niles firefighter and EMT Nick Stasiak during the McKinley Memorial Library’s Halloween party and ghost walk on Saturday. The Niles firefighters were available to answer questions about their jobs and the vehicle that they drive. Niles firefighter and EMT Joseph Page also handed out candy, stickers and Halloween bags to more than 350 children who attended the event on Saturday.

NILES — A beautiful autumn evening greeted 350 trick or treaters and their families when the McKinley Memorial Library hosted a Halloween party and ghost walk Saturday on the McKinley Memorial grounds.

Children waited patiently in line to receive candy from 28 vendors — the largest number in the event’s five-year history — including Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz. Others handing out treats included Mission BBQ, Niles SCOPE, the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Blessed Mother Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Friends of the McKinley Memorial Library, Niles Historical Society and the Warren Heritage Center at Kinsman House, among others.

Parents said they were happy to bring their children to this event. Some have attended for multiple years.

“We come every year,” said Addy Johnstone, 8, of Niles. She was there with her mom and 5-year-old brother, Austin.

Her mother, Amber Johnstone, added, “We like to support the library programs and my husband is Niles Second Ward Councilman. He is helping to hand out candy.”

Other moms agreed about supporting the library, but had additional reasons for coming to the event.

“I like to support the library. They have so many programs for kids. I like bringing my three children here because it is safe,” Jada Pagan said. During the event, her 4-year-old son, Hendrix, picked out a book for her to read to him.

Nicole Desantis of Austintown brought her daughters, Charlotte Guerrier, 2, and Diana Guerrier, 5, to the event.

“This was the first time we came to this event. Their dad is handing out candy with the Sons of the American Revolution group. It was so much easier to have everything right here,” Desantis said.

Activities took place in other parts of the grounds besides the National McKinley Birthplace Museum. Shining Stars Dance & Baton students performed on the front lawn of the grounds. Apple cider and cookies were served, and Niles firefighters / EMTs gave out candy and stickers.

McKinley Memorial Library Youth Services Assistant Tom Franken read spooky stories to the children, which included the book, “Boo Haiku” by Deanna Caswell. Trick or treaters such as Franklin Basset, 10, of Niles, answered the riddles of the haiku as Franken read the story.

McKinley Memorial Library Director Carrie Kibby said that the Halloween party is a thank you to the community for their support throughout the year.

Belinda Weiss, director of the National McKinley Birthplace Museum, brought historical significance to the Halloween party and ghost walk.

“This event is fulfilling what Joseph Butler intended, which is to give back to the community,” she said.

Joseph Butler was a childhood friend of William McKinley and spearheaded the creation of the library and museum to be built in McKinley’s honor in his hometown of Niles. He also was instrumental in the creation of the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown.

Costumes displaying the imaginations, interests and creativity of the children and staff included a hot dog, traffic light, princesses, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Spider-Man, alien, witch, Scottish highlander, and Sandy and Danny Zuko from the movie, “Grease.”

No matter what they wore to the Halloween party and ghost walk, everyone seemed to have a spooktacular time.