The Living Desert has redefined its popular annual Halloween event from trick-or-treat for kids to education and fun for the family.

Gone are four nights of candy booths and costume and howling contests.

Instead, this year's single-day event on Oct. 25 — Howl-O-Ween Harvest Happening — will feature a broad range of educational and entertainment activities.

Concerned that the popular holiday event — easily the largest for 12 years in the Coachella Valley — does not fit the Living Desert's primary mission, staff has changed the focus of the celebration, said Kimberly Bowers, director of community relations.

“Our mission is ‘Desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation,'” Bowers said. “We thought it would be nice to tie our community event with our mission.”

So many other places offer the candy giveaway events, she said.

The Living Desert staff expects the event will be as successful as it's been in the past. More than 8,000 people attended last year's Howl-O-Ween.

“Though it's different, I think it's much more engaging than before,” Bowers said.

Harvest Happening will include:

Educational stations where kids can learn about animals and how they harvest, and complete a scavenger hunt booklet for a bag of candy sponsored by Nestlé.

Keeper chats

Garden tours with seed giveaways

Wildlife wonder shows

A community harvest area with vendors, exhibitors and live entertainment suitable for adults and kids.

Samples of seasonal fruits and vegetables by local agricultural producers

Costume characters for photo opportunities

Cooking demonstrations

A pumpkin patch where kids can decorate pumpkins

A corn-shucking contest for all ages