Everyone hide your kids and check their candy – it’s Halloween weekend.
The race is on to find the best Snooki or Antoine Dodson costume amidst the cluttered and disheveled aisles of costume shops, but community churches and organizations are offering alternative activities to the longstanding trick-or-treat-give-me-something-good-to-eat tradition.
A popular custom among churches is Trunk n’ Treat where children can car-hop instead of going door-to-door, keeping children safe from strangers, tampered-with candy and other dangers of searching for sweets in the dark.
Highland Church of Christ is holding its annual Trunk n’ Treat from 4-5 p.m. Sunday. Sarah Campbell, the church’s youth and family minister, said the one-hour time slot will also allow families to participate in traditional trick-or-treating if they wish.
“In the past, Trunk n’ Treat was meant to replace trick-or-treating, but this year it’s focused towards families that still want to go house-to-house,” Campbell said.
Other churches, including Hillcrest Church of Christ see its Halloween festivities as an opportunity to minister.
“Part of the Trunk party is building a relationship,” said Alan Clute, Hillcrest’s involvement minister. “It’s hard to lay out the gospels to visitors in one hour, but we’re living it.”
Hillcrest’s Trunk party is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday and will also feature a carnival organized by the youth and university groups.
The Abilene Police Department reminds those planning on going door-to-door for candy to use common sense before digging into their candy bags.
“Do not eat the candy if it has been opened,” officer Joel Harris said. “Also, throw away homemade candy and anything that is not completely sealed like Starbursts. People could tamper with them and seal them back up.”
Harris also said to appoint designated drivers and travel in groups, especially to haunted houses and parties. No extra officers will be on duty Halloween night, he said.
“Since it will be Sunday night, we don’t imagine the city to be too busy,” Harris said. “We will be cruising around neighborhoods making sure everyone is on their best behavior and that there is safety on the roads.”
Students looking for a scare without having to leave campus are invited to the Mabee and Edwards’ Insane Asylum. Located in the basement of Edwards Hall, the haunted house will be open Friday during open house hours free of charge. ACU theatre students will serve as the asylum’s actors.
Frater Sodalis will also open its annual haunted house, Fright at the Museum, at Play Faire Park. Fundraising officer Logan Sellers said tickets cost $8, with a 25 percent discount for college students on Friday and youth groups on Sunday. Fright at the Museum is open from 8-11 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. – 12 a.m Halloween night.
Abilene’s Recreation Division will host activities for the entire family beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday night. Running simultaneously will be the Fall Festival at the G.V. Daniels Recreation Center and the Candy Carnival at Rose Park Recreation Center.
For more information on the city’s Halloween events visit, www.abilenetx.com/index.html.
