Ideas for a Family-Friendly Fall Festival at Your Church

It’s that time of year when the temperature lowers and the leaves turn a dark brown color, and your church is hosting a Fall Festival. If you’ve never had one before or are searching for fresh ideas to make the event run more smoothly, here are some pointers to help you design your most successful church event ever.

Determine Your Church’s Fall Festival Mission

Do you want to provide a safe alternative to the holiday for your members? Do you want to share the message of your church with the rest of the world? Do you want to grow the membership of your church? Do you wish to share the gospel with the youngsters in your community? The response to the question: What is the explanation behind this? is a great approach to ensure that your plans align with your goal. It will also help you make decisions such as, “Should we advertise this event?” If so, how so? What size will the party be? What activities will we be able to attend?

Assign a Leader for Your Church’s Fall Festival

Designate one person to manage the situation. Reduce stress and communication flow by allowing the “point person” to make judgments without being forced to monitor the majority of the solutions through church leadership.

Help your church’s Fall Festival Leader with Support

Make certain that your leader has the backing and support he needs to succeed. Begin by allocating volunteers to various components of the event. For example, you may select someone competent as a host or hostess to oversee the cuisine. The preschool part can be overseen by someone who is familiar with your church’s preschool programming. All entertainment will be handled by a different person. Allow them to make certain judgments in their own areas without having to go through all of the specifics with the boss.

Brainstorm Your Church’s Fall Festival

If you think back to your event’s goal, come up with fall festival ideas for church for the various elements that make up your celebration. Here are a few suggestions:

• Preschool area
• Petting zoo
• Games
• Jump houses and blow-up obstacle courses
• Food/Concession
• Carnival Games
• Dunk Tank
• Cake Walk
• Live Entertainment
• Karaoke
• Hayride
• Hay/Corn Maze
• Pumpkin Carving
• Pie Eating Contest
• Face painting
• Wall climbing rock
• Fall Photo-scape

While examining each area, establish a list of the equipment and personnel you’ll need to complete the project successfully. Choose an appropriate amount of locations and activities, and keep in mind that you will be able to increase in the next years.

Collect Candy & Candy-alternatives

Set up collection stations in your church and request members to bring boxes of sweets. This will reduce the cost of prizes and candy and enable your church members to participate in the Fall Festival’s successful event. If you reside in a warmer area, request that people stay clear of the chocolate because it could melt. By including alternative candy in addition to candy, you’re providing secure options for families who are dietary restrictions or special needs.

Think Through the Logistics

There are a variety of areas that require particular attention to allow the church’s annual Fall Festival to run without any issues. These include bathrooms, parking and electrical security. They also include electrical and audio/visual. You should ask yourself the following questions:

Make Pre-Fall Festival Volunteering Easy

There will be many people who help out during the evening of the festival Don’t forget those who would like to be involved but cannot be present on the day of the event. Invite your church members to assist in the Fall Festival’s success by creating signs or backdrops for painting, constructing booths baking, or gathering materials. Many of them would be willing to assist prior to the event if they were asked.

Invite Volunteers to Sign Up for Time Blocks During Your Church’s Fall Festival

It’s a given that you’ll require volunteers to help make your congregation’s Fall Festival successful, but help them by letting them sign up for two hour periods of time. If, for instance, you’re Fall Festival is a four-hour event (5pm from 5pm to 9pm) let people register for 5-7pm and between 7-9 at night. This will enable parents and grandparents to help and take time to enjoy the festivities with their family. Don’t forget to include your teens. They’re typically eager volunteers when they’re able to participate along with their peers, and with the time block, they’ll take advantage of free time during the festival.

Keep Communication for Your Church’s Festival Flowing

Be sure to provide clear communication with your volunteers prior to, during, and following you congregation’s Fall Festival. Regularly updating all volunteers in different areas will to keep everyone updated.

Create a Unique Hashtag

A unique hashtag can allow you to follow your social media event. You’ll be able to see the comments of people and what photos they take. You’ll be able make use of those pictures to share your successes with your congregation and, with permission, utilize it for the following year’s marketing.

Ending

The Church’s Fall Festival is sure to be a hit if you take these steps. If you can determine your event’s purpose and putting together an organized strategy, making it simple for your volunteers and ensuring that communication is on point and on the way to having a memorable celebration.