Community Safe Halloween Event coverage in local paper

BENNINGTON -- Trick-or-treaters and the adults accompanying them are welcome on Saturday to stop in at First Baptist Church for Halloween games, food and hospitality.

The event will be offered from 4 to 8 p.m. in Colgate Hall of First Baptist, which is located at 601 Main St.

"It’s kind of a hospitality opportunity," said Jerrod Hugeont, minister at the church, during an interview Wednesday. "It’s not an alternative to Halloween, it’s just a way of being friendly to the families in town."

On Elm Street where he lives, Hugenot said, "We see 300 families, and it’s great, you see a cross-section of town, and at the same time there’s the concern that a lot of parents have about safety."

Among other things, the event at First Baptist will provide trick-or-treaters a place to warm up and will emphasize safety.

"We’re going to do a safety quiz about safe trick-or-treating and also give out reflectors," said Alycia Post, director of the board of Christian Education, who came up with the idea with safety in mind. "We’re always looking to find different things to do; we look for the community’s needs."

Her daughter, Ivy Post, 2, interjected that she was going to dress as a cat for Halloween. Last year she dressed as Elmo.

Alycia Post said there will be contests, snacks, prizes and crafts -- and some candy, too. Several adults will supervise the event. Restrooms will be available.

Hugenot said the event, open to those of any faith or none, is part of the church’s wider effort to help the community and build capacity. This includes providing space in its facility for non-profits such as the Bennington Free Clinic.

"This is just a one-night-only initiative, it’s a way of providing welcome and hospitality," he said. "But it fits in to the overall of what we do here."

For more information, call the church at 802-442-2105.