By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Clanton First United Methodist Church will have its annual Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 23 at the church. It is a free event for the community.

The festival will include activities, large inflatables, crafts, games and snacks. According to the event’s coordinator, Christie Mitchell, there will also be a Coke walk and a cake walk where children could win snacks or even a cake.

“I like that it’s an outreach to the community,” said Mitchell. “Over half the kids will not be from our church.”

Mitchell said the focus of the day is having fun. Families are invited to take part in the afternoon with their children.

According to Mitchell, everyone from toddlers to fifth and sixth graders will have something to enjoy.

Mitchell said she expects to see between 100 and 150 children come out to enjoy the festivities, based on past attendance. She has been in charge of planning the event for five years, and shared what her favorite aspect of the festival is:

“It’s a safe place for them to dress up and get candy,” said Mitchell. “It’s a good time for people to come out and have some fun together.”

Mitchell said she knew some of her friends plan to dress as characters from fairy tales. The church asks that costumes not be worn which are overly frightening. The family-friendly environment lends itself more to costumes of cartoon characters than horror film characters.

To participate, come out to FUMC at 207 8th Street North on Sunday, Oct. 23 between 3-5 p.m.