Church of Celebration hosting 4th Annual Trick or Treat event

The Church of Celebration (COC) family has spent three months collecting candy, planning and then organizing 250 volunteers for this year’s 4th Annual Maricopa Trick or Treat scheduled for Oct. 31 from 4-8 p.m. at Pacana Park, 1900 N. Porter Rd.

The event will feature carnival games, inflatable jumpers and slides, free popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, a climbing wall, a hay maze, a monster mash dance, train rides, a kid zone, drawings for raffle prizes sponsored by Wal-mart and a costume contest.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in three separate costume categories: birth to 5 years; 6-12 years and 13 years and older—so adults can get in on the fun also.

According to Pastor Mat Balgaard, the costume contest and the vast array of Trunk or Treat candy are the most popular portions of the entire event. Children should bring a bag to hold all the candy that will be available, which is donated by church members, businesses and corporations.

Vouchers will also be available at the Church of Celebration tent for a Nov. 7 drawing at both 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at Maricopa Wells Middle School. The prizes are a Disneyland trip and two cash gift cards.

In addition, part of the Oct. 31 event will be a “need help” area where CAHRA, Against Abuse, the F.O.R. Maricopa food bank and others will be offering information and assistance to local residents and their families.

Why does Church of Celebration undertake this free, safe Trick or Treat event, which last year drew over 12,000 attendees?

“Things are difficult for all of us with or without economic downturns, job losses, foreclosures and rising costs of living,” said Balgaard. “This is just one way COC extends a hand to let people know we’re here for them when they’re ready, and we care.”

Schedule of events:

Event begins                4pm
Raffle                          5pm
Raffle                          6pm
Costume Contest          6:30 pm
    Cash prizes awarded to top three winners in the following categories:
    Birth to 5 years
    Ages 6-12
    Ages 13 and up
Raffle                         7pm
Event closes                8pm

File photo