Hayrides, bounce houses, children's games and more will be featured during a Fall Festival at Freedom Life Church in Christiana on Saturday, Oct. 30. Hosted by the FL Kids team, the event will include activities for children in fifth grade and younger, and families may stop by anytime between 4 and 5:30 p.m.

This year's event is an expansion of last year, when the church hosted a socially distanced Trunk or Treat event. "Last year, it was more for the families of the church because of COVID," said Gina Turk, FL Kids director. "This is a Fall Festival with different activities. It will be very relaxed."

Activities will take place outdoors in the church's multi-tiered front parking lot. "There will be horse and pony rides, a hayride, face painting, (temporary) tattoos, balloons and a Trunk or Treat," said Turk. Concessions will feature snacks, including popcorn, cotton candy, pretzels and water.

The event will be held rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather, most activities will be moved indoors, but the animal rides will not be offered.

FL Kids is one of the programs for youths offered at Freedom Life Church, which is led by pastor Sam Masteller and his wife, Michele. FL Kids offers programs for infants, preschoolers and elementary school students.

"FL Kids is for children from birth through fifth grade," explained Turk. "My team and I are all about teaching children at their level about how much God loves them. On Sunday, they experience at their level what it means to worship God."

FL Kids meets during Sunday services, which are held at 9 and 11 a.m. "When they are dropped off, we start with a game that goes with the lesson they are learning. We have music, worship and we pray," said Turk. "We do our Bible verse and do our lesson again - reinforcing it through a craft - and then we have a closing activity where they do another game."

She said that children are never too young to learn important life lessons. "You are teaching them values and truths no matter how young," Turk shared. "These are the world changers. If you teach them well, they will do great things."

FL Kids members and their parents will help run the Fall Festival. In addition to being a fun family event, the Fall Festival will also provide an opportunity for community members to meet new people and to learn about the church. "Stop in and have some fun with the kids. If you don't have a church, check us out," Turk added. "(We want people to know) that they have a place to feel loved."

Freedom Life Church is located at 447 Noble Road, Christiana. Admission to the Fall Festival is free, but preregistration is encouraged. Visitwww.freedom.life/upcoming-events to register. For more information, email flkids@freedom.life or call 610-593-5959. More information and a link to register for the event are also available by visiting http://www.facebook.com/freedomlife.tv and choosing Events.