“Fall Fest” takes over Encounter Church

Lucy and Kinsley Shaw play one of the games at Encounter Church’s “Fall Fest” as volunteer Alexa Daniels looks on.

Encounter Church tweaked its fall event and the public continued to enjoy themselves at it.

The church presented “Fall Fest” last Saturday evening (Oct. 24) with crowds streaming through the sanctuary and gymnasium throughout the two-hour event. Vendors, visits from the Amherstburg Fire Department and Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment, candy, games, hot dogs, face painting, hair tinsel, glitter tattoos and more were all part of the free event.

“I think it’s going great,” said children’s pastor Meagan Sarnes. “We have had a great turnout. People are staying and mingling. They are making connections.”

The church shifted from their “Candy-Palooza” event to the “Fall Fest” format because Sarnes said they wanted to ensure families came in, engaged with one another and stayed longer instead of parading through, getting candy and food and leaving. She believed the “Fall Fest” allowed them to stay and feel more at home and not have the urge to get through the church quicker.

“We’ll definitely do it again,” said Sarnes.

There were a lot of new faces that came to the “Fall Fest” with Sarnes estimating about 60 per cent new faces versus 40 per cent that are regulars to the church.

Approximately 30 volunteers came in to help with “Fall Fest,” Sarnes added.

It was a free event though Sarnes indicated she might add a donation area next year where people can bring in canned goods or other non-perishable food items for those in need.

“Thank you to everyone for their support,” she added. “It was wonderful.”

Encounter Church is located at 125 Alma St. in Amherstburg. Their website is www.encounteraburg.ca and their phone number is 519-736-5644.

“Fall Fest” takes over Encounter Church

By Ron Giofu