Wayside Presbyterian Church will provide food, fun, and fellowship for people seeking a safe, family-friendly Halloween alternative.

The Landisville church will hold its 12th annual Trunk 'n Treat fall festival on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in its parking lot and on the grounds, 600 Stony Battery Road. The event will be held inside if there is poor weather.

Trunk 'n Treat is designed for children through sixth grade, and the youths must be accompanied by an adult.

"I think this event connects people," Wayside pastor Steve Fritz said. "There are so many lonely people, spiritually, wandering and in the neighborhood, not knowing each other, so the church connects neighbors, and it gives a chance for the kids to have some freedom within a safe environment. The adults connect and chat. It's an invitation to learn more and get to see that Waysiders are very personable and approachable, and I'm very available to chat with whoever."

Fritz stated that the occasion fits with the church's mission of hosting upbeat activities. "Some families look for an alternative to Halloween, so we keep it low on the dark side and keep the fun, sports emphasis with upbeat games, but still kids get the candy," Fritz said.

Members of the congregation will set up in a U-shape around the parking lot. "We usually have 14 or 15 trunks," said Deb Kereczman, who is the organizer for Trunk 'n Treat as part of her Outreach/Witness Team involvement. "They always are amazed at the end of the night about the kids and the parents and how thankful they are to have been here. They say, 'Thank you.' They're teaching their kids manners. The spirit with which they come to the event, they're just so grateful that we do this. It's easy for people, even with little kids. They just make a swing through the trunks."

Wayside's praise band, Grace Notes, will play seasonal music. There will be free food, including hot dogs and chips, and Wayside's family ministry team and church youths will host a game tent. "It's been great to watch them grow up and into their own ministry of serving others and having games for the littles," Kereczman said.

Magician Erick Hershey, a church member, will perform. "He's pretty well known around the area," said Kereczman. "He's going to wander. People go through the parking lot first, and then they go down to the pavilion. It takes a little while for them to get through, so I think he's going to wander up in the area where people are waiting to come in and people are starting through the line. Pastor Steve is always there, greeting everybody and meeting everybody."

Fritz said the volunteers also enjoy the event. "There will be well-seniored members of the church assisting and having as much fun as the kids," he said. "People in their 90s all the way down to the teenagers helping the even younger kids. And it's always fun to see what costumes the community wears coming in, and even the babies and strollers are usually decorated to add to the fun. So it's a great, fun evening of fellowship, and it's free."

Wayside held its first Trunk 'n Treat fall festival in 2013. "A bunch of churches were doing it, but we really started to do it to have a safe place that families could bring their kids to and still celebrate," Kereczman said.

"I would also like to just say it's a gift to the community as well as an invitation to return," said Fritz. "But we're just happy to bless people whether or not they come back."

Kereczman added, "Hopefully, we're planting seeds in there, and people will remember Wayside fondly."

Go to https://waysidepc.org for more information about the church.