By Gail Hollenbeck, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 22, 2010
To usher in fall, several local churches have planned fun activities for families over the next several weeks.
The activities begin today with a fall festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ridge Manor United Methodist Church, 34350 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor. There will be hayrides, a bounce house, a Scarecrow Factory, games and face painting. Barbecue dinners and sweet potato pie will be provided by the Damascus Mission. Other food and snacks will be for sale as well.
Admission is free, and money collected for food and activities will go toward ministry outreach endeavors.
Call (352) 583-3770.
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An Ethnic Festival with midway rides, games, entertainment and a variety of food continues from noon to 10 p.m. today and from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 13485 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.
Continuous entertainment includes a performance by the Satellites at 7 p.m. today and the Clearwater Bluegrass Band at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Admission and parking are free.
Call (352) 666-3063.
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The Children's Ministry Fall Festival at Northcliffe Baptist Church, 10515 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill, will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.
The free event will have a carnival atmosphere with slides and "candy galore."
"Kids can wear a costume, as long as it's not too scary," said Jackie Laird, ministry assistant. "We don't want to scare the little kids."
Laird also noted that parents must stay at the festival with their children.
Call (352) 683-5882.
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Brooksville Christian Church, 6197 Broad St., Brooksville, is having a Hollywood Lock-in for children in elementary school through eighth grade who are able to stay overnight without their parents, from 6 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Oct. 30. There will be games, food, movies, contests and prizes.
"This is an innovative, Christian-led youth fellowship program (that was) planned for a safe and fun Halloween celebration," said a church press release.
Children should bring a pillow and blanket.
"We encourage children to dress in a costume representative of a Hollywood movie," said Justin Storey, youth minister.
The event is free.
Call (352) 796-3221.
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Eden Baptist Church, 22308 Lake Lindsey Road, north of Brooksville, will have its fall festival from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30. There will be games, food, hayrides and candy — all free. A $5 dinner will be offered to support missionaries to Southeast Asia. Call (352) 796-3855.
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Brooksville Church of God of Prophecy, 15444 Wiscon Road, Brooksville, will have a Fall Market-Family Fun Fest Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 30.
There will be games, prizes, food and shopping at the Widows Benefit Market.
"The market is an indoor sale on Fridays and Saturdays several weekends of the month that helps widows or widowers and their children in our church and community," said Michelle Grady, director of the market and the event coordinator. "(We) came up with this event as an alternative to Halloween and a way to gain exposure for the Widows Benefit Market."
There is no admission fee.
Call (352) 279-4406.
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There will be a Harvest Fest from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Christian Life Assembly of God, 13065 Jacqueline Road, Spring Hill.
"This will be a time of safe family fun, including exciting games, inflatable activities, a maze, a dunk tank, a hayride, food, clowns, candy and prizes," said John Hensel, senior pastor.
There will also be a drawing for door prizes.
Everything is free.
Call (352) 597-1139.
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Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, will offer games, activities and prizes for children from preschool through elementary school ages from 4 to 7 p.m., youth activities from 7 to 9 p.m. and Trunk or Treat for all ages from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 30.
There is no charge.
Call (352) 596-0080.
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Bridge Christian Life Center, 7279 Pinehurst Drive, Spring Hill, will offer Hallelujah Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 as a free alternative to trick-or-treating.
"There will be lots of games and adventures with candy and prizes to be awarded," said publicist Dottie Soleau. "The community is welcome to join the festivities."
Call (352) 683-2863 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays.
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Christian Church in the Wildwood, 10051 Country Road, north of Weeki Wachee, will offer free inflatables, cotton candy, popcorn and candy at its Trail of Treats event from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 in Building A.
Call (352) 596-1388.
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There will be a free Fall Fun Festival beginning at 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at Spring Lake United Methodist Church, 4191 Spring Lake Highway, Spring Lake.
Those attending should bring chairs and blankets for the live music variety show. There will be 20 games with candy, a bonfire and free hot dogs, drinks and s'mores. Sweets will be available for buy to benefit missions, and there will be $50 prizes awarded in a best hot wings contest and a pumpkin-carving contest. Pumpkins must be finished upon arrival and will be judged for "most creative" and "best message."
Call (352) 799-7028.
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First Baptist Church of Garden Grove will celebrate its 54th homecoming with the community from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 6 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 7.
"You will partake in our fair-type setting with hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, lots of games including a bounce house, cotton candy, popcorn and more," publicist Dolores Newsome said about the Saturday evening event. Music will be by the Sunny South Trio and the Woodsmen Quartet.
On Sunday, there will be videos, special recognition of members, praise and preaching, and a covered dish meal. The Southern gospel group Faithful Crossings will provide music, along with the other two groups.
The church is at 18131 Stromberg Ave., south of Brooksville.
The event is free.
Call (352) 238-8220.
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There will be a Holiday Festival sponsored by the Nature Coast Business Professionals to benefit Hope Youth Ranch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at Mariner Village Plaza, 5181 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.
There will be food, fun, door prizes, local vendors, a rummage sale and exotic cars on display. Kiwee the Clown will be the special guest, and a zumba class will be offered for a $5 donation.
Call Joan Poole at (352) 238-5526.