Email   Print   Share By Sgt. Nathan Booth, 4th PAD

Facebook Digg Delicious November 1, 2012 | Leisure

Jordan Greene, 3, rides a horse led by a volunteer at Comanche Chapel’s annual Hallelujah Festival Saturday. The festival featured horseback rides, bounce houses, face painting, arts and crafts, carnival games, and bowling. Sgt. Nathan Booth, 4th PAD

Elijah Vinegar (background), 14, shoots a ball during a carnival game at Comanche Chapel’s annual Hallelujah Festival Saturday. Sgt. Nathan Booth, 4th PAD

Ariana Hale, 4, paints a squash at Comanche Chapel’s annual Hallelujah Festival Saturday. Sgt. Nathan Booth, 4th PAD

Andrea Tucker, 5, rides a horse at Comanche Chapel’s annual Hallelujah Festival Saturday. More than 1,000 community members turned out for the event, which was billed as an alternative to trick-or-treating. Sgt. Nathan Booth, 4th PAD

Crystal Brumfield, 6, makes a bead necklace at Comanche Chapel’s annual Hallelujah Festival Saturday. Besides arts and crafts, the festival featured horseback rides, bounce houses and face painting. Sgt. Nathan Booth, 4th PAD

Michelle Moore, 11, gets a star painted on her face by a volunteer at Comanche Chapel’s annual Hallelujah Festival Saturday. Sgt. Nathan Booth, 4th PAD

Pony rides, storytime and carnival games took center stage at Comanche Chapel’s annual Hallelujah Festival Saturday.

Chapel staff members and volunteers from across Fort Hood organized the event, which hosted more than 1,000 attendees, as an alternative to Halloween.

“A lot of people during these times are looking for an area of safety, but they still want the children to enjoy the holiday that comes around,” Stacey Wilson, religious education coordinator, said. “I’m very pleased, because it’s all about the community and the people are really excited.”

Toschia Moffett-Young, choir director for Comanche Chapel, said the event is spiritually enriching for the Families of Fort Hood.

“The kids really love it because as an alternative to Halloween, they get an opportunity to dress up and still be kids,” Moffett-Young said. “It’s a lot of joy just to see kids learn about Christ; it’s very subtle and it’s not just pushed upon them.”

Moffett-Young dressed as a princess for her duty of storyteller during the event.

“I love theater, and this gives me an opportunity to do what I love,” she said. “At one point, I have them talk about the Hulk, Spiderman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and all of their favorite heroes, and how strong they are. They’re super excited to find out that Jesus Christ, who died for their sins, is stronger than all of these people put together, so that way when they get scared or something bad happens, they know that there is a superhero that is there for them and loves them.”

In addition to the main events, the festival offered bounce houses, face painting, arts and crafts and bowling.

“I think she’s had a blast,” Stephanie Tilden said of her 5-year-old daughter, Karis. “I think it’s great we get to come out and spend time together and have fun.”

Tilden said she appreciates the Halloween alternative hosted by the Comanche Chapel.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for Families to have another option than just doing the trick-or-treating thing,” Tilden said. “Kids can come and play games and have a good time.”