On October 31, children and adults alike will dress up in costumes and ask strangers for candy. What is Halloween anyway? It's origins date back 2,000 years ago to the Celtic festival of Samhain which marked the day the Celts believed that ghosts returned to earth. During the festival, the Celts would wear animal heads, dance around a bonfire, and attemtp to tell each other's fortunes. Once the Romans had conquered the Celtic territory, the festival evolved to have Christian influence and was renamed (and the date was moved) to All Saints Day. All in all, Halloween as we know it historically involves celebrating dead people. Thus, all the ghosts, goblins and such.

You know that you can go with the trusty Trick or Treating tradition for Halloween. Or, you can consider going to one of the local fall festivals which still involves dressing up and candy, but usually has a few other fun things for kids such as games, moonwalks & music!

Here's what's going on in your neck of the woods:

• Oct. 27: Bethel Methodist Church Fall Fest in Port Neches (1125 Wilson). Arrive from 10am- 8pm for face painting, a moonwalk and more. Fall Fest is a fundraiser for the youth program.
• Oct. 27: Fall Festival at Central Baptist Church in Port Arthur (4545 Hwy73). Event is from 5:00pm-7:00 p.m. Cost: two can/box goods for food pantry. Everyone is welcome to come and join the fun! Moonwalk, cakewalk, superslide, obstacle course. Tons of games - all games are free. Free popcorn!
• Oct. 28: Trunk or Treat at Trinity United Methodist in Beaumont (3430 Harrison). Arrive at 3:45 with your vehicle's trunk decorated. Pass out candy from your trunk! Children will "trunk or treat" car to car.
• Oct. 28: Fall Harvest Festival Family Fun Day at John J. French Museum, located at 3025 French Rd., Beaumont, on Sunday, October 28 from 1:00 - 5:00pm. Costume contest, Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, Bobbing for Apples, Scarecrow Building Contest, Games and Crafts for all ages, hints for canning and preserving your fruits/vegetables, Fall Bake-off. Electric outlets will be provided for foods that need to be kept hot. Prizes will be awarded for all contests. To enter the Scarecrow or bake-off contests, please contact the Beaumont Heritage Society to pre-register at 898-0348.
• Oct. 31: PNG Key Club's Trunk or Treat in Port Neches. The event is from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and will take place in the PNG gym parking lot. Admission is free and includes pizza, drinks, games & trunk or treating.
• Oct. 31: Noah's Ark Party at First Baptist Church in Beaumont (900 Calder). Arrive at 6:30 pm for pictures, games, blow-ups (moonwalks, slides, etc) and loads of fun!
• Oct. 31: Family Fall Festival at Calvary Baptist Church in Beaumont (3650 Dowlen Road). Arrive at 6:30 pm to Building 1 for games & candy!
• Oct. 31: Trunk or Treat at First United Methodist Church in Orange (502 N.6th St). Trunk or Treat will begin with a Halloweeny Dinner from 5:30-6:15PM, games and crafts from 6-6:45PM and trunk or treating from 6:45-7:30PM. For more information, call the church office at 886-7466.

Click here to email us your Halloween costume photos for the November SETX Smiles contest!

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