MONROE — Halloween will be a two-day event at Monroe Crossing this year

Residents can showcase their pumpkin-carving skills today and possibly even make some money in the first pumpkin carving contest, sponsored by the mall, The Enquirer-Journal and Xtreme Play. On Saturday, children under 12 can get candy from all stores and later participate in a costume contest.

Contestants have until noon today to bring in their carved pumpkins to customer service. They should also provide their name, phone number, e-mail address and mailing address. Pumpkins will be judged at 5 p.m.

Contest categories are best overall, most creative, best traditional, best kid entry and scariest.

Winners will receive a $25 gift card to the mall and two free passes to Xtreme Play.

“We wanted to help out and gain exposure,” said Brandon Pace, manager of Xtreme Play, which has been open in the mall only since July. “When the mall does these types of events, they help us, and we help them.”

Between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, children under 12 can go around the mall trick-or-treating. The mall will even provide bags in which to collect the goodies, said mall marketing manager Sarah Enten.

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., children can participate in the mall costume contest. Three winners will be selected from each of the three age brackets: 4 and under, 5 to 8, and 9 to 12.

All winners will receive two passes to Xtreme Play. First-place winners from each bracket will receive $20; second-place winners, $15; and third-place winners, $10.

Enten said the event usually attracts 1,000 children, and she’s expecting a larger turnout this year.

“It’s supposed to rain on Saturday so that might increase our chances of having a lot more people than normal,” she said. -“We’re looking forward to it.”

For more information, visit www.shopmonroecrossing.com.