For the third straight year, The Times-Gazette is transforming its office into a dark and spooky Halloween haunted house to send a shiver up the spines of children and adults.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. Thursday, and visitors will be greeted by spooky music, eerie characters and creepy scenery as they wind their way through endless corridors and mysterious passages. The Times-Gazette is located at 108 Gov. Trimble Place, next to the Highland County Courthouse.

Walmart will be on hand with candy for the youngsters, and the YMCA will be distributing materials in the entranceway. The last shriek or scream will happen around 7 p.m.

The Hillsboro Uptown Business Association is once again joining forces with The Times-Gazette to present the haunted house, and HUBA member Ann Morris said that efforts are made to make the attraction scary, but not too scary, with organizers mindful of young children.

During its first two years, hundreds of families made their way through The Times-Gazette’s haunted house.

Also happening uptown on the courthouse lawn from 5-7 p.m. Thursday is the annual WCHO-WSRW Boofest. Sales manager John Barney said the event will include candy for the kids and a costume contest judged by the Hillsboro Lions Club.

The weather forecast looks good, but Barney said that in the event of rain, Boofest will move to the St. Mary Catholic Church fellowship hall.