Riverside Church are hosting their annual light party on Monday 31st October at 4:00pm to 5:30pm at the Riverside Church.
The light party is an alternative event on Halloween, which targets younger children who would like to get involved in a night full of positivity.
The leader of the party, Anne Roche said: “Having fake blood, skulls and clowns in the news and in stores is horrendous.”
With food and drink, games, crafts and activities centred around storybook characters, the church intends to create a night of fun and joy for the children, instead of a night of fear.
Alternatively, the children can dress up as storybook heroes and heroines. This allows the children to still take part in dressing up, but in a positive way.
Many parents are unsure about Halloween when they have younger children, due to the connotations around the night being dangerous or too scary for smaller children.
Mum of two, Laura Fawcett commented her thoughts on Halloween and said: “I don’t believe that it’s acceptable to scare young children, Halloween is a little like a fairy tale to young ones.”
“The joy and anticipation of putting on a costume and face paint for a youngster is their dream. It’s unacceptable to scare or intimidate those who are looking to have a good time.”
However, Anne Roach explains: “The party is fun and free from fear,” in order to promote that they can still enjoy Halloween and not be left out.
Anne Roach continued to say: “The light party has been running for 3 years and we’ve had a good outcome each year, with 50 to 60 children coming. We try to vary the games and crafts behind it, but it’s more important for the party to remain positive.”
“We are a Christian church and believe Jesus is the light of the world, in his presence the children can experience love and freedom from fear as God is welcoming them so they do not have to be scared.” ![endif]--
