Each year, the local churches hold events to celebrate the fall season and provide an alternate experience than the traditional Halloween holiday of witches, vampires and skeletons. The local churches have announced their plans for their upcoming October fall events.
FUMC (First United Methodist Church) of Howe will kick-off the candy fun with their “Trunk or Treat” on October 25 from 3pm to 5pm located on their parking lot of 810 N. Denny St. FUMC will have free hot dogs, popcorn and drinks as well as the traditional candy. There will also be family fun games as well as a costume contest at 4pm.
Just down the street at 100 E. Davis St, FBC Howe (First Baptist Church of Howe) will hold their annual Harvest Fest starting immediately afterwards from 5pm – 6:30pm. The church leaders are promoting multiple bounce houses, big doorprize giveaways, free snow cones, free popcorn, games, candy and a family-friendly environment.
Howe Church of Christ will hold their Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 8:30pm – 9:30pm following Wednesday night Bible study. Costumes are welcomed, but only after the services are over. Church leaders say that vehicles will be decorated with tailgates and trunks open with kids gathering candy from vehicle to vehicle. They say that sometimes it’s not just candy given away, but also in some cases some small gifts and useful items.
Rounding out the local Halloween church event schedule is First Baptist Church of Dorchester, who will hold their Fall Festival event on Halloween night, October 31 from 5pm to 9pm at the church location of 1831 FM 902 in Dorchester. Church leaders say that the Dorchester event will feature carnival games, a cake walk, bounce house, 33 foot slide for youth, hot dogs and a chili cookoff. They are inviting everyone to wear costumes and to bring a trick or treat bag.
“They (church Halloween events) are safe for the children, a place where the community can gather and a whole lot of fun.” said FBC Howe Pastor Roger Tidwell.
“I think the popularity of church Halloween events is an indicator that [#1] it presents a safe and trustworthy environment for the children to enjoy the evening.” said Howe Church of Christ Pastor Toby Soechting. ” [#2] We do not associate or celebrate Halloween with the thought of “All Hallows Eve” anymore than we celebrate Sunday as the day of the Sun, Monday the day of the moon, etc. Halloween is associated today within a cultural context of family tradition and a day of nothing more than CANDY, costumes, fun, and more CANDY! [#3] Thirdly, I believe it may be an indicator of how families today have their schedules so filled with school, sports, and extracurricular events (for children of all ages), that they have less time for a leisurely walk through the neighborhood (not to mention not knowing our neighbors like we once did). These types of events help them fit one more thing onto the schedule, and besides what parent doesn’t look forward to sneaking a piece of candy or two out of their child.”
“I think it is a great way for us at FBC Dorchester to provide for our families and the community a safe and fun environment for children to dress up and go home with lots of candy.” said FBC Dorchester Pastor Stephen Dedman. “It is a great way to reach out to our community and share with them the love of Jesus. We want the children to leave with lots of candy, smiling, and desiring to come back to church. And, it is a fun way for mature adults to act like kids.”
In an age where the United States of America looks much different than in years passed, local Howe churches want to give this small town a family fun experience.
