By Amanda Ensinger
Staff Writer
The Prairie Township Community Center will be once again be helping area residents celebrate the holidays by hosting a variety of holiday themed activities.
Among these activities will be fall themed events in celebration of Halloween.
“We will be hosting our Trick-or-Treat Trail, as well as out Pumpkin Swim,” said James Gant, director of the Prairie Township Community Center. “These events will help our community get into the spirit of the season and are just a great way to kick off fall.”
The Trick-or-Treat Trail will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28 in the gym of the community center, 5955 W. Broad St. and the Pumpkin Swim will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 30 at the pool of the community center. The Trick-or-Treat Trail is free, while the Pumpkin Swim is $5.
Last year, both events took place on the same day, however this year the community center decided to make them two separate events.
“The kids would do the Pumpkin Swim and then be all wet and have to get in their Halloween outfits,” Gant explained. “It made more sense to make them two separate events so there weren’t any headaches.”
For the Trick-or-Treat Trail, business from throughout the community will set up tables and pass out candy. Children can dress up if they would like and go trick-or-treat at each table. According to Gant, last year approximately 300 children participated.
For the Pumpkin Swim, pumpkins are thrown into the community center pool and children must swim and get them out. Once they get them out they can decorate them with paint and other arts and crafts.
“You don’t have to be a township resident to participate in either event,” Gant said. “The only requirement for the Pumpkin Swim is that kids must be between 3 and 12 years old to participate.”
If a child is young and needs help getting their pumpkins, parents can get in the water and help.
“People really seemed to enjoy these events last year, so we wanted to bring them back.” Gant said. “Anytime we can bring the community together to celebrate, while also showing off our facilities is great.”
No registration for the Trick-or-Treat Trail is required, but registration for the Pumpkin Swim is.
“The only reason we need people to register is so we know how many pumpkins to get,” Gant said. “We can have 50 people per session, so we should have plenty of space for everyone.”
For more information on other fall events visit, www.prairietownship.org.
