The square and one block off the square will be closed today at 5 p.m. for "Trick & Treat on the Square."

The Covington fire and police departments and the Covington-Newton County 911 center will host the event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

A number of businesses, including Square Perk, Scoops and Bradley's BBQ will be open and ready to welcome "Trick-and-Treaters," said Main Street Covington Director Josephine Kelly previously.

"The downtown is a great destination for Halloween. Citizens enjoy the activities in the downtown district and then trick-or-treat in the neighborhoods adjoining the downtown district," Kelly said Thursday.

Police Capt. Ken Malcom said previously the city's public safety organizations wanted to provide a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.

"There has been an event on the town square on Halloween for a number of years and we decided to sponsor it this year. There are a number of locations throughout our community offering this service and we also wanted to also do something in the heart of our community," Malcom said.