In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, Arts of the Pamlico is turning its signature Halloween celebration, Terror at the Turnage, into a community event and inviting both children and adults to come celebrate.

“I think the storm had a lot to do with it. A lot of people were distracted by that. A lot of people lost a lot of money, and it took us a while to get back on track,” said Jonathan Clayborne, Haunted Pamlico member and volunteer helping to organize the event.

Rather than hold the formal adults-only Halloween gala Terror at the Turnage previously has been, organizers decided to open the celebration to everyone and make it a donation-only event this Saturday.

“I’m actually excited about that because I think it opens the event up to a lot of people who may not have been able to come,” Clayborne said.

From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, children are invited to the downtown Washington theater for Hello, Halloween — games, refreshments, Halloween cartoons on the big screen and take-home goody bags.

“It will be a little spooky. … We’ll have some kid-friendly actors in costume running around the theater,” Clayborne said. “The kids, if they want to come in costume, they should feel free to do so — and the adults as well. It’s a great way to preview their Halloween costumes.”

Once the sun goes down, Terror at the Turnage will make its return. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for a pre-movie party; at 8 p.m. the classic movie “Twilight Zone” will be screened.

Halloween is Clayborne’s favorite holiday of the year, and Haunted Pamlico, which is partnering with AOP for Saturday’s event, has its roots in local community theater. Originally started as Monsters on Main, a two-night Halloween performance at an East Main Street residence, the focus of the group is to “keep the Halloween spirit alive” all year round.

“One of goals with Haunted Pamlico is to bring all the members of the haunt community together, helping each other,” Clayborne said. “One of our goals is to make Beaufort County one of the Halloween capitals of the state, and I think we’re well on our way to doing that.”

The event is free, but donations will be accepted.

For more information about Hello, Halloween and Terror at the Turnage, call 252-946-2504. The Turnage Theatre is located at 150 W. Main St., Washington.