Written by Nic Fraraccio // Graphic by Makayla McDonald
As the holiday season approaches, churches in Searcy continue to plan fall festivities to bring the community closer together. Multiple churches will host activities for all ages throughout the Searcy community.
Downtown Church of Christ will host a fall festival Sunday, Oct. 29 at 3:30 p.m. The church will offer a trunk-or-treat section as well as hay rides and horseback riding. At 5 p.m., the church will begin a chili cookoff.
Downtown children’s minister Todd Miller said the event will unify members of all ages and benefit the children’s ministry at the church.
“It gives our children’s families a great, safe and well-coordinated event,” Miller said. “It will be a great time with a positive atmosphere.”
Searcy First Methodist Church will also host a fall festival Oct. 29 starting at 5 p.m. A trunk-or-treat in the church parking lot will offer candy and prizes for all ages. The group with the best decorated trunk will receive a prize.
Youth intern Andrew Wagner said the kids will play a major role in deciding which group wins the prize.
“Each kid will be given a token, and they will put it in the bucket next to the trunk that they liked the most,” Wagner said. “I have seen the kids have so much fun with it in the past.”
Westside Church of Christ will also be hosting an event Oct. 29. A worship service will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a fall fest carnival from 5 to 7 p.m. The carnival will offer dinner, games, treats and bounce houses. Family-friendly costumes are welcome for the event.
New Life Church will host a Thanksgiving food giveaway drive-thru Nov. 10. The event will take place at the Kay Rodgers Fairgrounds in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
As churches continue to plan events for the holiday season, Harding students prepare to attend or volunteer at the local events within Searcy.
Junior Zavdiel Ramirez said students can help churches and meet new people through volunteering at local events.
“I feel like serving is a great way to make closer connections with people that make you realize how hard their work actually is,” Ramirez said. “It definitely makes you appreciate their work a lot more.”
