College Avenue Church of Christ's (CACOC) annual Carnival in the Park took over Neel Park from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Halloween. CACOC youth, family and worship minister Jason Baker said the carnival is a way for church members to "minister to the community, have a lot of fun and meet a lot of people."
CACOC members circled the outskirts of the park in their vehicles and set up booths trunk-or-treat style with distinctive Halloween and fall-themed decor.
Many of the booths provided activities for the many costumed children in attendance, ranging from cornhole-style games to face painting and more.
Baker said "probably about 36" individual booths were set up by CACOC congregants for the event. In the middle of the park, a grill was also set up to serve hot dogs.
Members signed up to hold a spot for their specific booths and ran the activities themselves.
Church members combed the neighborhoods surrounding Neel Park days before the event, dropping off fliers encouraging families to attend the event.
The strategy paid off judging by the crowd present at the park on Sunday and the many costumed children who could be seen walking with parents from nearby neighborhoods.
"[The event] involves the entire church, we all play a part," Baker said.
Baker said the church has been holding the Halloween event, which originally took place in the church's parking lot, for "eight or nine years."
"We feel God called us to move it to Neel Park," Baker said.
