By Len Kiese - bio | email
ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Halloween is just a few days away. Wednesday night, a couple of Albany churches offered kids Halloween alternatives.
Thousands of people had a sweet time at Sherwood Baptist Church's Candy Fest. It's an annual event where families enjoy games, food, activities like face painting and a petting zoo. There was of course lots of candy.
Church leaders say it's a way for them to give back to the community.
"It's a way that we can supply a safe place for families to come out. It's for kids who may want to go trick or treating but their neighborhood may not be safe anymore. So we provide a place where kids can come and get lots and lots of candy, have fun with their family and just spend some time with each other," said Sherwood Children's Pastor David Joiner.
Sherwood has a similar family event in the Summer called Freedom Fest.
Another Albany church is replacing Halloween with Hallelujah. Mount Early Missionary Baptist held their first Hallelujah Night Wednesday.
Members enjoyed food and games. Organizers want to give families an alternative to the normal Halloween festivities.
"Hallelujah is the highest praise so that's why we used that theme this year. Instead of out there in the streets where children can get into things or something happens to them, we're doing ours at church and serving God," said church member Arrie Tift.
The church plans to make Hallelujah Night an annual event.
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