Escalon Christian Reformed Church was the setting for a fun and festive Harvest Party on Saturday, Oct. 29, just head of the Halloween holiday.
With many of the kids and adults attending in costume, there were games and prizes, pony rides, a bounce house, face painting, plenty of candy, and a hot dog dinner.
“We’ve got a crowd,” said coordinator Dana Prins, looking out at the church parking lot, jammed with people enjoying the abundance of activities. “This was put on mainly by the Upper Room, our youth group, and our Evangelism team, our outreach.”
Youth Pastor Lucas Geiger also helped coordinate the Harvest Party activities.
Prins said they hoped to welcome around 200 people to the event and, based on the lines at the games and the tables filled with people enjoying their dinner, it seems they hit that goal.
“It was their job to come up with the games,” Prins added of the youth group members, who had a candy walk, ring toss, pumpkin bowling, and several other activities set up, suitable for all ages. The prize for many of the games was candy. “We basically turned it into a service project for our Upper Room kids.”
The Harvest Party ran from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and temperatures in the upper 60s at festival time provided the perfect conditions for enjoying the evening.
Prins said it was somewhat of a full circle moment for many of the youth group members.
“A lot of them remembered coming here as kids” to attend the festival, she said of the youth group members. “Now it’s their turn to give back to the community.”
Attendees also were provided with some information about the various programs for youth at the church, offered on a regular basis. They have programs for those from birth to 3-years-old, free nursery service during Sunday morning and evening worship services, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; those 3-years-old through kindergarten are able to attend a special worship service of their own, while those 4-years-old through third grade can attend Sunday School at 8:45 a.m. Sundays in the Fellowship Hall, September through May. There is also child care available for those up to 5-years-old during the Women’s Bible Study each Tuesday at 10 a.m.
In addition, the church has programs for students in fourth through eighth grades, and programs for high school, college age students and adults.
Escalon Christian Reformed Church is at 2203 California; more information is available at escaloncrc.org.
Prins said organizers were very pleased with the event and glad to see so many community members turn out to enjoy the party.
