Two Mantua churches are gearing up for their trunk-or-treat events for the upcoming Halloween weekend.
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
The United Methodist Church of Mantua is gearing up for its 10th annual Trunk-or-Treat on Oct. 27 in the parking lot of the church. As the event nears, Family Fun Coordinator Kimberly Wagner is bubbling with excitement.
The rain-or-shine event, according to Wagner, will have around 30 decorated cars, activities and more things open for the public to attend.
“We bring everyone together in a circle and we have a dance floor, a DJ and the trunks are positioned in a pattern of games and activities, crafts, and this year we have some vendors, as well as sensory-friendly trunks,” said Wagner. “My daughter is on the autism spectrum, so I try to get a couple of trunks that have bubble blowing or the therapy dogs. This year we have a petting zoo with a bearded dragon and rabbits.”
Children are also encouraged to come dressed in costumes to participate in a costume parade.
Wagner added prizes will be given to cars with the best decorations, which are chosen by the kids in attendance.
New to the event this year will be the Joy Buzzer Sports Talk radio, which will be hosting trivia.
“I have several makeup vendors that are going to try and do some spots for the moms, and ones doing a cosmetic graveyard where you bring two pieces of makeup and you get a coupon,” said Wagner.
Following a recent mission trip, Wagner said the church is partnering with a youth group from New York to create a Noah’s Ark-themed trunk while also hanging out with the group for the rest of the weekend.
“I’m really excited for this year’s event,” said Wagner. “It’s going to be a very massive trunk. Noah’s Ark is going to be one of the good ones. We have lots of animals and it will be surrounded by the petting zoo.”
The youth group is also putting on a scavenger hunt for the kids who stop by and will be asking for attendees to sign Christmas and Thanksgiving cards that will be given to patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Other than Halloween candy and the activities, Wagner said the church is also selling concession food to help fund the church’s Vacation Bible School and accepting canned and candy donations.
“At 7 p.m., while the kids are doing the costume parade, I’ll be refilling their bowls with the candy,” said Wagner. “I have no idea how to tell how many people will be there because it grows every year by 200 people, so I told the cars eight to 10 bags this year, but it goes within the first 10 to 15 minutes which is why I set up trunks differently.”
If there’s any candy left over, Wagner said they will be repurposed for the decorative bags that are placed in the Thanksgiving food baskets that some families will receive next month.
The event at the United Methodist Church of Mantua starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. in the church’s parking lot. For more information, search “FamilyFun Mantua” on Facebook.
The Church of Incarnation in Mantua is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat on Oct. 26 starting at 6 p.m.
Youth Minister Jennifer Drees said this will be the church’s second annual event and it’s expecting up to 300 people to walk through and stop by each vehicle, which will be entered in a contest.
“We’re having a contest for the most creative vehicles with prizes and are charging $5 per car to participate, which goes towards the youth programs,” said Drees.
There is no admission fee for attendees, and people can expect to enjoy a free hot dog bar and popcorn in the church’s parking lot. At the end of the night, Drees said they will close with a bonfire.
The rain date for the Church of Incarnation’s event is Oct. 27, and to find out more information or to sign up a car, people are asked to email Drees at [email protected].
