Nobody could blame the youngsters at the Cherokee Nation’s Early Childhood Unit for starting their Halloween celebrations a day early Friday.

Especially not their parents, who took some time out to enjoy watching their children have fun, or the local “helpers,” representatives of various agencies who handed out treats to the kids and explained their services to the parents.

The Early Childhood Unit held its annual Fall Festival, a chance for all involved with the children to have a good time.

“This is our seventh year for the Fall Festival,” said Karen Ryder, a center operations specialist supervising classrooms and teaching staff.

Ryder was handing out bottled water and packages of teddy grahams, a more healthful alternative to some of the candy being distributed. The kids seemed to welcome the small crackers as much as the other treats.

“It’s kind of an alternative for trick or treating and scary costumes,” Ryder said. “It’s about our community helpers and their part, too. They’re always willing to come out and bring their resources , information for the parents and good for the children.”

Children dressed in a variety of holiday garb. There were several black and gold striped bumblebees, several pirates (with and without the eye patch), Spiderman, angels, princesses of all varieties. Accompanied by their parents or staff members, they went from table to table, trying out activities and meeting the volunteers.

The exhibits came from a wide range of health and safety agencies. Many of the presenters also wore costumes.

T.J. Burkey, of the Oklahoma Forestry Department, made a big hit as Smokey the Bear, while his colleagues handed out flying ring toys and information on forest preservation.

Resembling a furry and somewhat out-of-season Santa, Smokey was equally adept at welcoming children to climb up onto his lap to have their photos taken. But unlike Santa, he remained mute for the duration of the event, only nodding his head when addressed.

While most of the kids liked Smokey, one or two were a bit taken aback by the unfamiliar creature.

However, the scariest costume was sported by Laura Henson, who portrayed the wicked witch in a “Wizard of Oz” themed booth from Sequoyah School.

Tera Shows contrasted Henson in a good witch costume, and Lisa Burrell, clad in the requisite pigtails, pinafore and ruby slippers, made a convincing Dorothy. “They’re so cute, and they like my shoes,” Burrell said as she handed out candy.

“This is a popular year for Dorothy,” Shows observed, pointing to another Dorothy at a competing booth.

Although many of the youngsters who came through the festival may attend Sequoyah in the future, the school’s representatives just wanted to add to the fun.