Churches across DeKalb host Halloween events this weekend

Churches across DeKalb host Halloween events this weekend

Churches across DeKalb host Halloween events this weekend

By C. Campbell, Staff Writer

cody@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Halloween was a way in the past to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the move towards winter, but it has since also become a religious holiday to remember those who have passed on during the previous year, in addition to being a fun event for children.

Dressing up in costumes and going around trick or treating is quite possibly the most exciting activity for kids to take part in between the end of the summer and Christmas morning. As a way to create a safer way to celebrate the holiday, churches across the country hold their own festivals, and those in DeKalb County are no exception.

On Halloween night, Minvale Baptist Church in Fort Payne will be hosting a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot of the Minvale Life Center from 5 until 8. According to the church secretary, the idea was to provide the children in the community with a safer alternative to the traditional trick or treating taking place.

While many churches like Minvale will be having events like this, there are some churches planning on relatively large festivals that weekend. In downtown Fort Payne, First Baptist and First United Methodist have teamed up to hold a Fall Festival block party on the evening of Sunday, October 30th from 5:30 to 7:30.

Marshall Henderson, the student pastor at First Baptist, explained that this event was a wonderful way to invite families into the church community. He also described many of the activities taking place at the block party. “We’ll have bands playing music, a costume contest for the kids, carnival games, trunk or treating, inflatable games, a cake walk, free food, and a hayride.”

According to Henderson, last year’s event drew in over 500 people, and he expressed the belief that this year’s Fall Festival would be just as big.

For those living on Lookout Mountain, New Oregon Methodist Church will be having their own Fall Festival on October 30th from 5 to 7:30 PM, with a nice variety of events to take part in. Ian Conerly, the pastor at New Oregon, said, “The goal is to be open to the public and let them be a part of the church.”

Similar to the block party First Baptist and First Methodist, Conerly detailed how New Oregon’s Fall Festival would have a cake walk, a hay ride, trunk or treating, and a haunted house. “We’re not trying to be an alternative to Halloween. Have fun on Halloween night, but come and join us too the night before,” he said.

The evening of Sunday, October 30th will not be lacking in church-sponsored events to take part in throughout DeKalb County, including First Baptist, First Methodist, and New Oregon Methodist. The same holds true for Halloween itself, with Minvale and others providing their alternatives to the traditional.

Churches all over the county hosting events like these would gladly welcome you to join them in their various Fall Festivals and Trunk or Treats, as a way to celebrate the holiday and be a part of their church family.