Annual Community Trunk or Treat Saturday, October 26, 2024

Stephens City United Methodist Church

5291 Main Street, Stephens City 1- 3 pm

Costume Parade begins precisely at 1 pm.

Stephens City United Methodist Church is gearing up for its annual Trunk-or-Treat, a major fall event that brings families together for a fun-filled Halloween celebration. Scheduled for the Saturday afternoon (October 26) before Halloween, the church’s back parking lot becomes filled with vehicles sporting decorated trunks handing out free candy galore! Games, prizes, photo ops, and face painting make it a fun afternoon for the whole family. A costume parade at 1 pm welcomes children, teens, and adults.

Five hundred people are expected to attend the Trunk-or-Treat to be held at 5291 Main Street. The event will include a dozen decorated vehicles stacked with tons of candy, strategically parked in the lot adjacent to the church building one hour before the events begins. Volunteers will manage traffic flow and ensure a safe, designated walking area for families.

According to event organizer and Stephens City UMC president Jaquetta Owen, Halloween should be a fun and free holiday that benefits both the children and young teens who relish participation and the adults who help them find healthy, constructive ways to celebrate. “I am so pleased and excited to invite families to our annual Trunk or Treat. This is an opportunity to grow community and provide a safe venue for kids to dress up and collect treats. There is nothing better than watching families have fun, partake in kid’s games, and experience a good time,” Owen said.

Trunk-or-Treat events can be a safer alternative to trick-or-treating. This is done by creating an environment that provides adequate supervision for youth. Additionally, the event provides access to Halloween festivities for families who do not live in a typical residential neighborhood. Everyone is invited and all residing within the town limits can easily bring their whole family and walk to the destination. “Halloween costumes are encouraged. The church organizers ask participants to use Halloween themes that will be suitable for young children with decorations kept to a scare-minimum,” added Owen.

Besides the usual Halloween themed games, Lolo the Clown from Winchester, will be roaming the parking lot amusing children with her antics in between trick or treating and participating in the festival games. Lolo is colorful, kind, silly, and entertaining and will make your children laugh.

The Stephens City Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department plans to have Sparky the Fire Dog on site to meet with kids for photo opportunities.

Pastor Bertina Westley will be on site to welcome in Trunk-or-Treat families and inform them about other ministry activities at the church to include the mammoth Easter Egg Hunt, pre-school, daycare, senior center, food pantry, C-CAP, WATTS support, Fiber Arts, Vacation Bible School, and STEM camp.

For more information, please contact Jacquetta Owen at Jacquettaowen@gmail.com or 540-450-4601.