Kids came in all kinds of costumes, there were hayrides and food, music and the chance to dunk the pastor in the dunk tank; Heritage Church in Escalon was the host site and plenty of other churches and local clubs and groups helped out to stage a Fall Festival on Oct. 27.

The Wednesday evening gathering saw cars jammed in everywhere; across the street at Escalon High School, at the nearby Community Center, in the overflow parking area between the Community Center and the church on Escalon Avenue; and lining both sides of Arthur Road.

Billed as a fall festival, the event had the traditional fun of ‘Trunk or Treat’ with attendees playing games and winning candy, with vehicles brought in to display the candy in the trunk or set up in buckets adjacent to the car.

Members of many churches around the community participated, along with some pastors, and there was also a mini petting zoo, an obstacle course, the dunk tank and more.

Escalon Police Department, Escalon Fire Department and Escalon Community Ambulance were all in attendance as well, handing out candy and either hosting games or providing information about their work.

At the dunk tank, Heritage Church Lead Pastor Morgan Lawrence seemed to draw several hoping to hit the target and send him into the chilly water. Elsewhere, a mechanical bull was available for those brave enough to try it.

There were a variety of costumes as well, from large dragons to a tiny chicken; some Ghostbusters and a couple of Incredible Hulks, along with some Disney favorites and the traditional ghouls and goblins.

Overall, the evening was jam packed with fun, and more than enough candy to tide kids over for a while, even if they didn’t do any traditional trick or treating on Halloween itself.