Halloween is a full-blown season now. There’s no denying it. This weekend, heck even last weekend, there were parties, decorations and pumpkins galore. But now, we’re in the heart of it all.
With Halloween only a few days away, kick off this holiday week with the biggest fall-carnival-trunk-or-treat family fun festival in East Long Beach! Bethany Church is throwing their “Community Carnival” this Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and it is not your grandmother’s school Halloween parade. This is a family fiesta that supports a great cause.
There will be three food trucks, carnival games, rides, a Ferris wheel, a train running through the whole carnival, a rock wall, petting zoo, face painting, balloons, large inflatables, pumpkin carving, and oh yeah, a robust Trunk or Treat with lots of cars and candy.
Whew. The best part is that it’s open to the public, and Bethany Church invites anyone and everyone to come by and join in the fun. The main goal of the event, other than good-ole fashion community and fun, is to raise funds for the Long Beach Rescue Mission.
Admission is $2 at the door or two food cans. Either way, all proceeds will go to the Long Beach Rescue Mission to help their daily fight against hunger, shelter, and addiction in the city of Long Beach.
The new pastor of Bethany Church is Jeff Levine, the former chaplain and program director of the Long Beach Rescue Mission. He brings a fresh new look to the congregation and is focused on doing more all-inclusive and for-a-good-cause events like this one.
Ministry coordinator Laurie O’Toole is excited to be a part of the large community’s Halloween plans this year.
“On actual Halloween, people should be in their neighborhoods being a part of their community,” she said. “But the Sunday before, our carnival is going to be a great, safe way for families to kick-off the holiday week!”
It’ll be fun and safe, and there will be lots of stuff to do for the whole family - all in the name of supporting a good cause. Sounds less of a trick and more like a treat the more you think about it!
So bring your kids over this Sunday, in costume, and participate in what will likely be the largest Trunk or Treat and Halloween carnival in Long Beach.
Bethany Church is located at 2250 Clark Ave. Long Beach, CA 90815. For more information, please visit http://bethanylb.org/light-the-night/.