Halloween has become one of the country's most popular holidays, with Americans in increasing numbers spending spend more on October 31 than any other annual event, including Christmas.

What makes Halloween so special? In addition to trick-or- treating and wearing costumes, members of Newtown Lions Club suggests for local residents, it may also have something to do with the growing popularity of The Great Pumpkin Races.

Newtown Lions Club will present the seventh annual Great Pumpkin Races on Saturday, October 22. The event will again be presented outdoors, in the parking lot behind Edmond Town Hall, at 45 Main Street.

From 10 am until 2 pm, residents of all ages are invited to show off their creatively decorated or carved pumpkins. Prizes will be awarded for Funniest, Scariest, and Best Decorated pumpkins, with winners in three age categories (8 and under, 9-12, and 13-17).

In addition, those who manage to mount their pumpkins on four wheels, with at least one axle going through the pumpkin, will be invited to compete in this year's races.

Pumpkin racing follows the decoration judging, with the same age categories as the pumpkin decorating contest - and the addition of an 18 & Older category.

The pumpkins may be any size, but they may not be mounted on skates or skateboards. Competitors are encouraged to be creative with their racers.

There is a $5 fee for each event entered.

In addition to the competitions, there will be a number of children's games and plenty of good food to eat.

As with many years, there will also be a medieval-style trebuchet present, ready to fire pumpkins into the field just as our medieval ancestors heaved stones at castle walls. Mark Machaud, the designer of the original Great Pumpkin Race trebuchet, will man the instrument.

The final enticement of the day will be the drawing of the winning raffle ticket for the 2016 Lions Club Classic Mustang Raffle.

This year's car is a 1966 Ford Mustang convertible with slate blue body, white top, and blue and white interior. It is a 289 V8, with automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power top, and is in beautiful condition.

Tickets are $10 each, and members will be selling them during public events in October. Tickets are also available at Amaral Motors, 40 South Main Street, through most Lions Club members, and online at newtownlions.org.