HEREABOUTS pamela dillon
Last fall, during a three-week period, Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springboro sold dozens of pumpkins next to the church parking lot. Big gourds, small gourds, even lopsided gourds were temporarily adopted to decorate the fall season. As a result, church volunteers raised $600 to help fund its youth programs.
This year, they would like to give back to Springboro and the surrounding communities by having a free Fall Family Festival from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at 415 N. Main.
“We really enjoyed the fellowship that effort brought to our church so this year we have decided to give back to the community during one of the very best times of the year to live in Ohio,” said church member Steve Hegwood.
Activities include carnival games like ring toss and duck pond, with light-up toys as prizes. Horseback riding, face painting and decorating pumpkins also will be offered. Cornhole and horseshoe golf games will be offered for older attendees.
Pulled chicken barbecue sandwiches, hotdogs, baked beans, and potato casseroles will be available, along with desserts.
Entertainment will include Ben Lapps of Mason on his acoustic guitar around 4:15 p.m. He picked up his first guitar at 12, and two years later he released his first album, “The New Color.”
“Ben has a unique sound and is an exceptional talent everyone will enjoy,” said Hegwood.
Also on tap at 5:30 is Jim McCutcheon, a.k.a. The Guitar Man. The evening will end around 7 p.m. at dusk with Covenant’s first “Trunk or Treat” event. Kids can enjoy trick or treating as church members hand out candy from the backs of their decorated car trunks.
“October weekends can be really busy getting prepared for colder weather. Families are raking leaves or running around town to various sporting events, so we are providing a bit of relief and fun for at least one afternoon,” said Hegwood.
The Family Fall Festival will take place rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, the food and games will be moved inside.
Contact this columnist at (937) 748-3487 or PamDillon@woh.rr.com.