Members of the Dowagiac Optimist Club already have the wads of cash and sacks of candy handy.

All they need now is a group of costumed children to give them to.

The local service organization will host its annual Halloween costume contest and parade Saturday at Beckwith Park. Children, ages newborn to 11 years old, as well as their siblings and parents, are invited to participate in the event, which will begin at 10 a.m.

The festivities will begin with a costume contest.

Children will be separated into five groups: newborns to 2 years old, 3 to 4 years old, 5 to 6 years old, 7 to 8 years old and 9 to 11 years old. Optimist Club members will judge the outfits of each child, and will hand out cash prizes to the best three costumes — first place will receive $15, second $10 and third $5.

Following the contest, the children may join their family on a parade through downtown, making their way down Front Street past city hall before turning onto Park Place, then down Depot Drive, before arriving back at the park. At the end of the route, Optimist members will hand out bags of candy to the children.

The parade is one of the longstanding events that the Dowagiac Optimist Club organizes every year. The event is designed to further the organization’s mission of improving the quality of life of youth in the local community.

“It gives the kids something fun to do before the holiday,” said Steve Grinnewald, the president of the club. “They can come out and give their costumes a try before the big day — and have a chance to win some money in the process.”

The Optimists — who also provide scholarships to Dowagiac Union High School students, as well as help funds various programs that support local children — will provide funding for the cash prizes, while Honor Credit Union has again stepped up to cover the costs of the $230 worth of candy for the 144 gift bags, which Grinnewald and his family prepared recently for Saturday’s event, he said.

The event usually draws between 60 to 80 children, depending on the weather, Grinnewald said.

“It’s an event for the whole family,” he said. “The parents get into it, too. They have as much as fun as anyone else.”

Over the years, the members have gotten a chance to judge some very creative costumes, Grinnewald said.

“It’s fun. That’s just what it is,” he said. “Doesn’t matter if you are helping with putting it on or participating. It’s a good, short day to enjoy ourselves and enjoy the holiday.”