Of all the holidays celebrated in our country, Halloween is among the most mysterious, the most obscure, the most interpretive, and not just in spooky ways. But it may be that the Manheim Township Recreation Department has got the whole Halloween thing figured out.

"It's a little bit of nostalgia," said Chaley Bulla, Manheim Township's recreation program manager. "It's also about the time of the year. The weather is nice and you get to be outdoors. It really brings people together in a fun way. I like dressing up. I love pumpkins and I'm a fan of the spooky."

That Halloween spirit will hang thick in the air when the recreation department hosts, not one but two, Halloween events.

Manheim Township's traditional Halloween Carnival will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Overlook Activities Center, 301 Golf Drive, Lancaster. Then, on the following day, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, the low-sensory Spooky Soiree will be staged at the same Overlook Activities venue.

The Halloween events, which are being supported by 12 sponsors, are free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the occasion.

Organizers of both events will be accepting donations of new or gently used coats and jackets, as well as nonperishable food items, which will be distributed by the Manheim Township School District to underprivileged families.

"It's a way to provide things for our community that are fun," said Bulla. "We're all very positive, very welcoming, and it makes people feel invited. We want to provide things that are fun for everything."

"We're providing people with something they enjoy and making memories," she added. "We're part of people's childhoods. We want to continue to provide this Halloween experience."

The Halloween Carnival will feature five food trucks, a massive outdoor trunk-or-treat event hosted by the Manheim Township Police Department, games, mini-golf, prizes, a haunted expedition, a skeleton crawl, photo opportunities, a costume parade, face painting and performing dancers.

Conducted in low light, with minimal noise and including gentle activities, the Spooky Soiree will highlight games, balloons, crafts, pumpkin painting, puzzles, a reptile show, a costume parade, tabletop trick-or-treat and a quiet space.

"The two events are pretty different," said Bulla. "The carnival is very fun and very friendly. Things move quickly. It's a lot of movement. The Spooky Soiree is a calmer event. It allows visitors time to get comfortable. It's just a lot quieter. Both events are really fun in their own different ways, and that's OK."

The Halloween Carnival is expected to draw over 2,500 guests, while the Spooky Soiree will host about 125 visitors.

"I think most people know about the Halloween Carnival," said Bulla. "I think we do a good job of advertising it. It's a really great time for people to come out and hang out. It's really great for kids because they get a lot of candy and prizes. The soiree is a welcoming event that allows people to celebrate the holiday at their own pace."

While the Spooky Soiree was introduced last year by Manheim Township as an alternative event, the Halloween Carnival will be celebrating its 10th annual anniversary.

For additional information, go to http://www.manheimtownship.org.