The Iowa State greek system will get held up by sweet-toothed Ames children this Saturday wanting candy and a good time.

The greek system is hosting the trick-or-treat night for Ames children from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The trick-or-treat route will go past fraternities on Ash Avenue and will wind around sorority circle, said Jennifer Gracey, director of special projects for the Panhellenic Council.

Each fraternity will team up with two sororities to hand out candy, said Matt Jennings, Interfraternity Council vice president of operations and junior in pre-business.

“We expect about 300 children, so the [greek] houses will need plenty of candy,” said Gracey, senior in journalism and mass communication.

To get into the Halloween spirit, the fraternity and sorority members will be dressed in full Halloween garb, Gracey said.

“A lot of people wear costumes from old house parties,” she said.

In addition to handing out candy, some of the fraternities set up haunted houses, Jennings said.

Gracey said the Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council planned the event to help increase the greek system’s interaction with the Ames community.

“It’s a nice way for us to give something back to the community because we’re not always seen in a favorable light,” Jennings said. “The kids can get a good view of the greek system from an early age.”

Gracey said the greek system also wanted to give parents an alternative to the traditional beggars’ night.

“This way, it’s a safe environment and within close proximity,” Gracey said.

Ames resident Nicole Allaire said she and her 20-month-old son Austin will be joining in on the fun for the first time.

“[The greek trick-or-treat night] promotes a positive environment, and it’s fun for the children and for the students, too,” Allaire said.

The trick-or-treat night is open to all Ames children, and the greek houses will provide refreshments for parents, Gracey said.