Trunk or Treat

Last night we had our trunk or treat/chili cook-off at church. As the activities chairperson, I am in charge of organizing this event each year with the help of some very kind ladies on the committee. This year we had an incredible turn out. I didn't recognize at least half of the faces there. Lots of people who haven't been to church for a while and friends and neighbors of the members of our congregation.
Here's what we did:

Burleson has a tradition of doing Chili Cook-offs each year around this time so we combine it with the Trunk or Treat. It was perfect chili weather yesterday. We had about 13 entries and 6 more than willing Judges. The winner this year dethroned his dad as the reigning champion. He won and apron that he can show off at future events.

The other toppings, desserts, cornbreads, etc. were provided by the members of the church who came. We had a ton of food. It was great. We had hot cocoa and homemade rootbeer brewing in the cauldron. Everyone loves the rootbeer with dry ice.

After the judging everyone got to eat and sit at the table that were set up in the middle of the parking lot. The tables were filled. We set up enough tables for 80 people and not everyone was eating at this time because they were playing games and walking around so I know we had a pretty nice turnout judge from that. The tables were decorated with spider web table cloths and had little ghost or skull lanterns in the middle. There were spider rings down the center of the table.

The game booths were as follows:
Face painting which the young women did throughout the night.
Bobbing for donuts- there was a string tied between two poles. The donuts are tied to a string hanging down from the pole. Attached to the string is a powdered donut. The kids have to try and eat the hanging donut with hands behind their back. The donut is the prize.
Guess the Goop- a table was set up with boxes. Inside each box was a food item of some sort. The kids come along and stick their hands in the box. They try to guess what the items are. Spaghetti, jello, peeled grapes, to name a few. Ewwww.....
Bean Bag Toss- we had two boards, one a ghost and one a pumpkin. They had holes cut out and the kids through bean bags through the hole. They won prizes for making it in the holes.
Fishing Game- the YM painted an ocean scene on plywood. The kids would throw a fishing line with clothespin attached to the end over the wood. The person on the other side attaches the candy.
Pumpkin bowling- Bowling pins were made in Halloween theme. The kids roll a pumpkin to knock down the pins and win a prize.
Bounce house was set up for jumping throughout the night.
Trick or treat bag table- brown bags with handles and stickers were provided so the kids had somewhere to put all the candy they got throughout the night.
Cupcake walk- people donated lots of cupcakes for the cupcake walk. The kids would win a cupcake each time they landed on the number that was called.

There was a carved pumpkin contest. People were supposed to bring their carved pumpkins to be judged. We were the only family that did, but all three of the kids carved a pumpkin and Sydney won this year.

At the end of the night everyone went to their cars and set up the trunks. There was a contest for the best trunk. The Smiths and Hales both won a prize. The Smiths had a fog machine, spooky music and crazy decorations. It was a lot of fun seeing how everyone decorated their trunks. The kids went from car to car Trick or Treating.

When we got back half the tables were already cleaned up. What a great group of people who just take initiative and start cleaning up. We were completely done with everything by 9 pm.

I love being the activity chairperson. It is a lot of fun. I am sore all over and slept like I hadn't had sleep for years last night. But it was fun to see so many unfamiliar faces and watch the kids running around having fun. Can't wait till next year!