Festivals supplant gatherings
Fall is a season when many families observe Halloween with witches, goblins, ghosts and ghouls. But others opt out of those celebrations, choosing less grim alternatives.
Sally Wood of Butler is among those who celebrate the harvest season as opposed to Halloween.
"Celebrating harvest to me is celebrating God's changes in the natural wonders around us he has created," explained Wood, who participates with other like-minded families in a yearly harvest gathering.
Although pumpkin carving is part of her family's tradition, Wood incorporates a Christian theme.
"We carve our pumpkin with the best smiling face we can create. One thing we do while carving is talk about how God works through lives, and (we) use the pumpkin as a reminder of the yuck we can all have in our lives," explained Wood, noting the insides of the pumpkin can represent the bad things remedied by Christ, while the candle inside reflects the light of his love.
"We also get together with friends and have apple cider, cookies and play fun games like bobbing for apples, candy corn bingo, paint or carve a pumpkin contest, and just have fun," said Wood. This year's event was celebrated last weekend.
Other fall activities include trips to the pumpkin patch and hayrides.
"Just to sit back and take a look at the fall scenery and enjoy the crisp fresh air is so relaxing," said Wood, who recently added corn mazes to the list of activities.
Wood said her son, now 8, has not yet expressed a desire to go trick-or-treating, but she is not opposed to participating in that fall activity too.
For Jeanne Cherry of East Butler, Halloween isn't really an option for her family.
"We do not see anything uplifting or encouraging in the celebrating of Halloween," said Cherry about her belief in its Satanic origins.
"Even beyond that, we do not think that it is a healthy activity for children to be subjected, given its evil content," she said.
Instead, the Cherrys chose a variety of other options.
"With our older son, we began a tradition of leaving home on trick-or-treat night and went to a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant where (a Christian radio station) was sponsoring a 'no costumes' evening," Cherry said.
"It was fun for him and since we did not want him to participate in Halloween, including the Halloween party in public school, it was a good alternative," she added.
Since Cherry's daughter was 3, she has been going to the Community Alliance Church harvest party that is held in connection with the church's Kid's Club program."Our daughter can participate in celebrating the fall harvest season without feeling like (the season) is evil in itself," said Cherry, noting pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn can be seen as symbols of the season instead of Halloween icons.Connie Krajacic, youth pastor at Community Alliance in Butler Township, said the event is held for two reasons."First, it is offered to give our kids an opportunity to invite their friends to Club, and second to provide a celebration of God's blessing to us at harvest time," Krajacic said."Some families use this as an alternative to Halloween and others do not, however that is not our main purpose for the party," she added.The 20-year-old tradition includes games, snacks, activities and candy.Faith Fellowship Alliance Church in Oakland Township also hosts an event each October."We believe it is safer for children than going trick-or-treating. We also use this event to bring kids something they really need in these days and age: the good news about Jesus Christ," said Donna Asche, who heads the festival."We have an interesting theme each year to make it different and exciting," she added.This was the 13th year for the festival, held Friday with the theme of "Slime Time." The event included games and activities, music, a maze, snacks and candy. More than 175 attended.Coming events include a Games Without Ghouls hosted annually at the First Baptist Church of Evans City.Church secretary Jyn Woods said the event is held on Halloween so as to include trick-or-treaters as well as those opting out."Some of our kids do and some of them don't," Woods said, noting more than 100 children and parents attended last year's festivities.Games Without Ghouls includes games, food, prizes and giveaways, as well as a room for adults to rest.The event is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the church on South Washington Street.
