For the first time, The Factory Ministries will hold its paint-a-pumpkin event as part of Paradise Township's Trunk or Treat. The event will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Paradise Park, 6 London Vale Road, Gordonville. No registration is required.

The collaboration came about after The Factory took part for the first time last year at the Trunk or Treat event by handing out candy from a decorated box truck.

"We were in a planning process (for this year's paint-a-pumpkin), and we knew there were other community events going on," explained Lisa Eckert, the senior director of youth services at The Factory Ministries. "In an effort to not overlap events, we asked (the township) if we could come to their activity the same night. We discussed it, and came up with the idea of having it together."

Pumpkins, which have been donated by a local farmer, will be provided, as well as decorating materials. "We will have paint, stickers, markers and a variety of different ways to decorate the pumpkins," Eckert said. She noted that the pumpkin painting will take place in the park's upper pavilion, and the activity will run while supplies last.

In past years, paint-a-pumpkin was held outdoors at The Factory, and then it moved into the youth center gymnasium. Families were able to decorate pumpkins and enjoy a light meal. Between 100 and 150 people generally attended the event. "The families do a great job in decorating," noted Eckert.

In addition to the pumpkin-painting station on Oct. 24, children will be able to collect candy and treats as they travel from vehicle to vehicle in the park. In addition to community members, trunks will be decorated by representatives from local businesses and area churches.

More than 26 decorated trunks will be featured at the event, and there will be a display of emergency vehicles from the Pennsylvania State Police and local fire companies. There will also be vendors, including Two Cousins, which will offer pizza, and a haunted trailer.

Trunk or Treating is designed to be a safe alternative to trick-or-treating door to door.

The township will provide free hot dogs, nachos and hot apple cider to those in attendance. For more information, visit http://www.paradisetownship.org and select "Trunk or Treat 2025." Those with questions may call 717-768-8222.

More information about The Factory and upcoming events is available at http://www.thefactoryministries.com.