As Halloween approaches, there are plenty of opportunities for youngsters to have fun in a safe environment, with schools and churches hosting events.

Coming up this evening, Wednesday, Oct. 25 it’s the annual Trunk or Treat at Escalon Covenant Church, 1155 Escalon Ave. Hours for the fest are 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is a Fall Festival for all families featuring candy, hot dogs, decorated cars, games, music and more. No scary costumes please. Open to families and children of all ages.

Van Allen Elementary School is gearing up for its Harvest Festival on Friday, Oct. 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with wristbands available for $10, allowing kids to take part in a variety of games and activities. There will also be a pumpkin patch, food vendors with tacos, hot dogs and barbecued items, a haunted house and plenty of fun for all, designed for ages 3 to 17. The school is just off Highway 120, on Van Allen Road. No scary costumes and no costumes with weapons are allowed.

At Collegeville Elementary School, at the corner of Jack Tone and Mariposa roads, the annual Harvest Festival is also scheduled for Friday, Oct. 27, offered from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be carnival food, burritos, drinks, games including a ball toss, lollipop tree, haunted house, bounce house, corn hole and bean bag toss and more. Wristband prices are $10 or two for $15, which allows participants access to all booth activities. They can be purchased before the event at Collegeville School. Children are also encouraged to come in costume (no clown costumes) and will get a free food ticket.

The Escalon Christian Reformed Church, 2203 California St., Escalon, will host a Harvest Party on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the church. There will be a petting zoo, pizza, games, costumes, contests, candy and more, open to all in the community.

While there are no festivals scheduled at Dent or Farmington elementary schools, both will host special events for students on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31. Farmington students have a ‘parade of costumes’ outside on the playground following lunch, then adjourn to individual classrooms for class parties. Dent students can wear their costumes on Tuesday, Oct. 31 as well and all will enjoy classroom parties in observance of Halloween.