Churches fold Halloween into fall festivities

As parents have grown increasingly leery of sending their kids out trick-or-treating on streets where they don't know their neighbors, alternatives for celebrating Halloween have flourished.

Among the organizations offering parties and other activities to keep children entertained and their candy bags full are local churches, which often pair Halloween fun with fall harvest themes.

Christ the King Catholic Community got an early start on festivities with its ninth annual Pumpkin Patch Oct. 17. The event is a fundraiser for the church's children's ministry and included games, train rides, food, a craft area, a Halloween costume contest with prizes and, of course, pumpkins.

Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 Lone Mountain Road, has offered its own take on Halloween for 17 years. Called King's Faire, this year's version is planned from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Admission is $3 (free for children age 2 and younger).

"We actually start planning for this in late July or early August," church production director Craig Ruff said of the gathering intended for preschool and elementary-age children. "It takes about 150 volunteers to keep everything flowing smoothly."

The staff first sets the plot map to accommodate the large annual event. There is a mechanical bull, a giant slide, hoop shoot, bounce houses and a gladiator joust. Throw in bouncing boxing, vendors and a play center deluxe, and it's easy to see that King's Faire is more than the typical Halloween celebration. That is, until you consider the 2 tons of candy donated for the event to fill the trick-or-treat bags.

This year's King's Faire will use Canyon Ridge's Base Camp, which is normally used for classes for the church's youth.

The idea started when former Midwesterner Chris Duncan was on the Canyon Ridge staff. Duncan was from a part of the country where carnival fairs were popular events for bringing people together.

"The mindset behind King's Faire is that God is our king and this is a festival," Ruff said.

"I wasn't on staff then, but the initial concept was to create a place for member families to come and attend," he added. "King's Faire has created a place for member families to attend and celebrate with families of the church."

But the event is open to the public too.

"It's a Halloween alternative with no strings attached," Ruff added. "People can attend, and then they can check out the church later, if they'd like."

The first event drew more than 500 participants. It since has attracted as many as 8,000 people to the parking lot immediately west of Canyon Ridge's church.

"With this, we can be a part of the community," Ruff said. "This is an alternative, a safe way to get people to our campus that they hadn't experienced before."

Further information can be found by calling 702-658-2722 or by visiting www.canyonridge.org.

Other Southern Nevada churches are providing Halloween gatherings. Among them is Westminster Presbyterian Church at 4601 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Westminster's event will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday with carnival games, refreshments and Halloween costumes. Admission is free, and all ages and faiths are welcome.

"It's been going for at least 18 years," Donna Lochridge said. "We try to make a big production with food and decorations. We have outdoor dining before the games start. It's something for the neighborhood kids and we always get a good turnout. There are costumes and we have prizes for the best costumes.

"The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts help us a lot. They have been very good to us. We also have fun, and everything is free."

For more information, call 702-648-8437 or visit the church website at wpcvegas.org.

The Shadow Hills Church Fall Festival is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at 7811 Vegas Drive. Included will be rides, games, entertainment, food and trunk-or-treating. The event is free. More information is available at www.shadowhills.org or by calling 702-880-7811.

Green Valley United Methodist Church's Harvest Festival is set from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at 2200 Robindale Road in Henderson, featuring Trunk or Treat, a bounce house, cake walk, cotton candy, popcorn, crafts, games and prizes. Further information can be found at www.gvumc.org or by calling 702-454-7989.

Also, Hope Church at 850 E. Cactus Ave., will present a free Trunk or Treat from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 featuring food trucks, a bouncy house, games and candy. Further information can be found by visiting www.hopechurchonline.com or by calling 702-896-5924.

Neighborhood Church at 203 W. Basic Road in Henderson will present Trunk or Treat from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 with candy, games, food, petting zoo and bounce house.

Further information can be found at www.n4square.org or by calling 702-565-9672.

Additional events are listed in today's Religion notes column.