There's an altruism to the holiday that too often gets overlooked on account of all the door-to-door candy asking.

Sure, kids you don't even know show up to your door demanding chocolate and Tootsie Pops. It's a tad selfish. But what isn't selfish are the benevolent candy-givers waiting behind heavy front doors for the sound of the doorbell and the alliterative jingle, "Trick or treat."

Halloween is about the givers.

It's also about the friendship forged in a brightly colored caterpillar costume.

And the gentle Prince Poppycock scarecrow reclining in a small town park.

It's about facial hair that isn't really hair at all.

The aforementioned Halloween spottings were part of the Gathering of the Scarecrows event in Kennebunkport. The weekend included a scarecrow parade Saturday and Wicked 5K on Sunday.

The 5K start line was just outside the front doors of Nonantum Resort, where racers kicked back in the grass or primped their costumes before the 1 p.m. start time.

The course was a thin loop through the suburban Kennebunkport streets - complete with sunny breeze and autumn trees. But the true motivator for the afternoon excerise was the finish-line celebration at Federal Jacks Brew Pub, where super couples met with pirate families.

And where everyone got some free light grub and a drink ticket. Because Halloween is about the givers - and a little bit about the free stuff.

About the Author

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Shannon Bryan, content producer for MaineToday Media, likes exploring Maine - from mattress races to cardboard boats, she's into the weird stuff.

Karen Beaudoin, online editor for MaineToday Media, likes knowing the important things - like who's just opened their deck for a sunny afternoon beer and what Portland's eclectic set of street performers are up to.

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