More than just trick-or-treating this Halloween season

While some of Jefferson City's bigger entertainment events on Halloween have moved to different dates or been canceled, one continues to grow and grow.

It's outgrown its original location at Solid Rock Family Church, which sponsors the event. And it's outgrown the nearby Binder Park. For the first time, the church this year has rented out the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds, and it expects to draw up to 6,000 people.

"We just started this a long time ago in back of the church with our own kids, and it grew and grew and grew, and we decided we're going to offer this to the community," said Stacey Pond, the church's children's pastor and event coordinator.

"Our church just has the heart to serve. They want to give them the opportunity to have something safe on Halloween night."

Best of all: "Everything is free," she said. "A lot of families have four or five kids and can't afford to pay something. Our pastor is very big on giving back" to the community.

The event takes place from 5-8 p.m. on Halloween, and features more food and entertainment than there's room to list. The offerings target not just the younger set, but teens as well. Some of the highlights: bounce houses and other inflatables, a rock wall for climbing, a mechanical bull, horse rides, carnival games, face painting, a photo booth, a cash cube, glitter tattoos and a monster truck on display. Not the mention the games and prizes that typically accompany fair fun.

Giveaways include a 40-inch flat-screen TV, a boy's bike and a girl's bike.

Kids get a bag of candy upon entering, Pond said, and can win more from the games. Among the prizes they'll also win are children's books - Scholastic Inc. has donated 1,800 pounds of books.

In case of rain, Solid Rock will hold a smaller version of the event at its church, 508 Hunters Run Road.

Other Halloween events and Halloween alternative events include:

• Halloween Fun, 3-4 p.m., today at the Missouri River Regional Library's Adams Street Annex Conference Room. Reservations required at 573-634-2464. Basic computer knowledge needed.

• Holts Summit Haunted House, 7-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Lions Club.

• Trunk-or-treat, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds. Games, activities, food and refreshments. $1 admission benefits Operation TOYS.

• 5K Haunted Run/Walk, 7 p.m., Saturday, Washington Park Ice Arena.

• Trunk-or-Treat, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Special Learning Center, 1115 Fairgrounds Road.

• Halloween Kids' Craft Night, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Oct. 27, Culver's, 1920 Jefferson St.

• Jack-O-Lantern Jam, 6-8 p.m., Monday, Jefferson City High School.

• Halloween Story Time and Costume Parade, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Missouri River Regional Library Art Gallery, free.

• Howlin' Halloween Costume Party, 6:30-8 p.m., Wednesday, Missouri River Regional Library Art Gallery and Storyhour Rooms, free.

• Zombie Prom, 6-8 p.m., Oct. 30, Missouri River Regional Library, Art Gallery, free.

• Trick-or-Treat at the Capital Mall, 5 p.m., Oct. 31. Stores will hand out candy to kids.

• Trunk or Treat, Liberty Road Baptist Church, 7815 Liberty Road, 6-9 p.m., Oct. 31. Free admission, food available. Contacts: [email protected], 573-395-4224 or 573-644-3532.

• Community chili dinner with cinnamon rolls and hot beverage, trick-or-treating for the kids, 6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 31, Villa Marie, 1030 Edmonds St.

• Jefferson City Police Explorers' annual "Haunted Precinct," 5-8 p.m., Oct. 31, the Jefferson City Police Department. The Explorers decorate the back hallway of the police department in a haunted house theme (nothing too scary) and give out candy and books.

• Trunk-or-treat, 5-8 p.m., Oct. 31, Bible Baptist Church 4730 Country Club Drive.

• Southridge Baptist Church Harvest Fest, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Oct. 31. Features games, activities, food, photos.