It’s out there. In the fairgrounds. By the churchyards. Down the country roads. A haunt for the ghost who wants cash with his candy. A place for the good witch to jump and play. An evening for the pirate who hankers more for sausage than popcorn balls.
Several local organizations and churches in the New Braunfels area are providing safe alternatives to knocking on neighborhood doors this Halloween.
Wurstfest
Adults and children alike can take advantage of the timing of Wurstfest. Always opening the Friday before the first weekend in November, this annual New Braunfels festival celebrating the area’s German sausage-making heritage happens to run during Halloween. Organizers have planned special events for children.
“We are a family event and we continue to take steps to make our event more family friendly,” said Executive Director Suzanne Herbelin. “We introduced a carnival in the ’80s, and each year we look for new things to offer families.”
The festival, marking its 49th year, will offer the usual 10 days of food and beer, music, and arts and crafts, but Halloween provides a few more enticements for the younger set.
They will receive a treat bag when entering the gates, which open at 11 a.m., and will be given goodies by most of the concessionaires at the event. Children are welcome to come in costume, said Herbelin, who added that many of the adult volunteers would be costumed.
Because Halloween falls on a Saturday, Kinderhalle is also open to children ages 5 through 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost is $10 a child and reservations are recommended. In its third year, Kinderhalle provides care for children while adults enjoy the festival. Children in Kinderhalle will be entertained by a performer who is a ventriloquist and a magician.
Oakwood Baptist
Fall Festival
A “world-class” jump-rope artist is one of the draws at Oakwood Baptist’s Fall Festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at 2154 Loop 337. The church has been providing a safe, fun way for children to enjoy Halloween for eight years, said Jody Burkhalter, children’s pastor.
“We started it simply to offer our kids a safe, non-threatening alternative to Halloween,” said Burkhalter, explaining that 2,500 people attend each year. “We thought this was a way we could offer ourselves and our resources to the community.”
The event is free and open to all ages, with food available for purchase. Children will enjoy inflatable structures, playing games for treats, participating in giveaways to include iPods and other gifts.
Other church events
Other local churches offering activities include Tree of Life at 5513 Interstate 35 N. and First Protestant Church at 172 W. College St. Tree of Life is holding a fall festival from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, with carnival games and jump houses.
First Protestant is offering a “Trunker Treat” event Oct. 28. Church members will decorate their cars and hand out treats from their trunks to children who walk car to car.
For those who enjoy the tradition of strolling from door to door without the worries of traffic, New Braunfels merchants are offering the Downtown Spooktacular, Oct. 31, from 3-6 p.m., at the intersection of Seguin Avenue and W. San Antonio Street.
Children are offered safe trick-or-treating at downtown businesses, face painting, a costume contest, a free photo in their costumes and a movie starting at 6 p.m.
‘Safe Halloween’
“Safe Halloween” is the name and the goal of the Humane Society of New Braunfels’ event on Friday, from 4:30-7:30 p.m., in the parking lot at 1920 Kuehler Ave.
What started as a party for employees’ children about six years ago has now grown into a community event, attracting about 300 children each year. The free festival includes carnival games, with children receiving candy at each booth they visit.
“Most of our employees have small children, and we know how dangerous it can be to go door to door,” said Executive Director Billie Zercher.
Colonial Manor
Colonial Manor Care Center at 821 W. Business Highway 81 is also offering a Friday event, from 6-8 p.m. The center is hosting the event for the first year since 2004. Children will walk through one area of the senior care and assisted living facility and will be offered treats, games and arts and crafts.
“It’s for the employees’ kids, for residents’ grandkids, and for the general public,” said Activity Director Margaret Tudyk.
Gruene Lions Club
Other events will occur prior to the Halloween weekend. The Gruene Lions Club is holding its third annual Halloween event at the Comal County Fairgrounds on East Common Street today, from 2-6 p.m.
Attracting about 2,000 people each year, the event has moved to the fairgrounds from its former location in Landa Park.
Free admission and free parking is available for adults and children, who can play Halloween-themed carnival games, including a bean toss through Frankenstein’s mouth and “pin-the-tail-on-the-werewolf.” Food can be purchased, with profits going to local charities.
A highlight of the Lions Club event is the costume contest. Four categories have been established for toddlers, school-aged children, adults and pets. The adult winner will receive a cash prize of $100 or more.
Haunted Haus
Costumes are optional at the first-ever City of New Braunfels’ Haunted Haus on Thursday, at the Aquatic Center in Landa Park. Adults can decide whether to take children to the “Not-So-Haunted” Haus from 4-6 p.m. or to the full-fledged Haunted Haus from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 a person, with pre-registration recommended.
“We’ve never offered a Halloween activity before,” said Evan Partee, Recreation Programs Supervisor with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, “and we thought the renovated Aquatics Center, with its hallways and rooms, made a good backdrop.”
Children will receive a goodie bag and the option of participating in an activity after touring the spooky surroundings.
For more information:
Wurstfest Association
(830) 221-4369
www.wurstfest.com
Oakwood Baptist Church
(830) 625-0267
www.oakwoodbaptist.org
Tree of Life Church
(830) 625-6375
www.treeoflifechurch.org
First Protestant Church
(830) 609-7729
Halloween Spooktacular
Main Street
(830) 221-4090
Humane Society
(830) 629-5287
www.hsnba.com
Gruene Lions Club Halloween Festival
Comal County Fairgrounds
(830) 708-6367
Haunted Haus
City of New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department
