Weaverland Plans Fall Celebration

Al Stoltzfus, one of the organizers of the Weaverland Anabaptist Faith Community trick-or-treat alternative, knows all the details about the event, but the one he is most sure of is that there will be plenty of candy. "There are prizes and lots of candy," said Stoltzfus, who repeated the phrase "lots of candy" a few times during the interview.

This year's Fall Celebration will be held at the church, 210 Weaverland Valley Road, East Earl, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. The event will include a variety of activities for young children, middle-schoolers, and teenagers, as well as adults both inside and outside the church.

Children's games and activities that will be available inside the church will include cornhole, a football toss game, a duck pond, a golf putt game, and a lollipop toss, along with face painting.

Outside the church, bounce houses will be set up. Other outdoor activities will include a hayride and a corn dig. Three campfires will be burning, and music will be played.

Free food available outside will include hot dogs, french fries, soft pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, popcorn, ice cream, candy, snack items, and hot and cold beverages. Stoltzfus noted that the Auntie Anne's soft pretzels are one of the most popular items among those served each year.

Organizers have again partnered with the Northeastern Lancaster County Food Bank to help stock the bank's shelves. Stoltzfus explained that attendees may bring a canned good to drop off at the registration table, which will open at 6 p.m. He noted that the bank has specifically asked for cans of soup. "The food bank is always in need of soup and even more so over the winter months," he explained.

Although a small committee works to put the event together, about 150 volunteers are needed to coordinate the trick-or-treat alternative on the night it occurs. Past events have attracted 800 or more visitors, but Stoltzfus said that organizers are planning for 1,200 people to attend the 2022 Fall Celebration. "We've had a terrific response from the community," said Stoltzfus.

In the case of inclement weather, readers are encouraged to visit http://www.weaverland.org for information.