A sweet night for children

As drops of rain came down outside the doors of Seymour Christian Church, the line of children grew in the hallway as they waited, dressed in costumes, for their turn to trick-or-treat at the church’s Fall Harvest Party on Friday night.

Dressed as Uncle Sam and a cowgirl, Don and Jan Morgan said they had heard about the party from other church members and knew they had to be a part of the festivities.

“It’s keeping the kids safe and off the streets,” Jan said.

“It’s fun and we get free candy,” Don said as he passed out candy to children who came to their doorway in the hallway of the church.

“It’s good, clean fun,” Jan added.

The Morgans said this is the first year of being involved in the festival.

Through the hallway doors, carnival games, inflatables and a maze awaited children.

Wearing a Captain America costume, Noah Newton, 13, said he likes attending the church’s festival.

“I’ve been here the last few years. I enjoy it because of games and I like helping out,” he said.

Sam Weaver, 11, thinks it is a good activity for the community.

“One thing I like abut this is that kids aren’t on the streets doing this, it’s safe for them,” Weaver said.

Weaver’s father, Dan Weaver, the youth pastor of the church, said the church has been host for the event for the past five years and it grows every year. He said last year more than 600 children received treat bags for their candy.

“We want for people in the community to come where they know they will be safe, a positive expansion for this holiday,” Weaver said.

“It’s a blessing for us because we have a chance to meet new people,” he added. “It gives us the opportunity to let people know we are here and we care.”

Love Lockman, children’s pastor for the church, said its youth and the community look forward to the event each year.

“It’s a way to reach out to the community and to show them church can be fun,” Lockman said. “Our goal tonight is for kids to have fun.”

Trick-or Treat hours and Brownstown parade

In Jackson County, the official trick-or-treat hours for Seymour, Brownstown and Medora are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today. Crothersville trick-or-treat hours were Friday night.

The Brownstown Halloween Parade begins at 4:30 p.m. today at the Family Dollar store and ends at Brownstown United Methodist Church. Afterward, the church is offering an event with games, activities and refreshments.

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween may be a fun holiday for children, but for parents the holiday can be a little tricky. To help parents and children have a safe and enjoyable Halloween, the Indiana State Police offer the following safety tips:

Keep costumes short to prevent trips and falls. Make sure costumes are flame-retardant.

Try non-toxic makeup instead of a mask. Masks can obstruct a child’s vision and make tasks like crossing the street and going up and down stairs dangerous. Wash makeup off when returning home to prevent a rash.

Make sure children wear light colors or put reflective tape or glow sticks on their costumes.

Make sure swords and spears are flexible, not rigid.

Have older children trick-or-treat with friends.

Map out a safe route with your kids, along with a meeting place in case you become separated.

Instruct children to stop only at familiar homes where outside lights are on.

Encourage children to trick-or-treat during daylight hours. If children are out after dark, make sure they have flashlights and travel on well-lighted streets.

Remind children not to enter homes or cars of strangers.

Follow your community’s trick-or-treating hours.

Have kids eat before leaving the house.

Take a bag of treats from home to pass out when kids get the urge for candy.

Remind children not to eat any of their treats until a parent can inspect them at home.

Check all treats at home in a well-lit place for signs of tampering or fading in the wrappers.

Eat only unopened candies and other treats that are in their original wrappers.

Additionally, many communities and churches offer children safe alternatives to trick-or-treating, designed to keep children safely within a parents’ view.