FAIRVIEW – On Saturday evening, the Lions Club of Fairview put on its first Halloween festival at Fairview Community Park. The event featured pumpkin painting and a pumpkin decorating contest, coloring, a costume contest and of course, plenty of candy. Right down the sidewalk, Upper Room Church held a trunk or treat. The Lions topped off the evening with a showing of "Hotel Transylvania II." The event was free, except for concessions. Proceeds from sales of hot dogs, nachos and other snacks will be used by the club to purchase eyeglasses for Fairview area residents in need.
Fairview Lions President William Criscoe says that around a dozen volunteers had put together and were managing the festival. He referred to his folks as "…good people who want to try to help. We're a small group, but we have big hearts."
Criscoe was quick to credit the community as a whole for its assistance with the event. Local producers and sellers donated the pumpkins. Pizza Done Right, the Fairview Superette and Fairview Grocery donated food. Pepsi donated drinks.
According to Stephanie Giancatarino, this festival started last year in the hands of a group called Marie's Golden Heart, who put on the event to raise money for a community Thanksgiving project. It went well and received a good response from the town, and local residents expressed an interest in seeing more family-friendly activities in the area.
So Giancatarino and her folks joined up with the Lions, whose president has big plans. Criscoe knows it's a challenge, but he wants to see a family event in the community every month or two in the coming year. The club is working on a multi-faceted Christmas celebration, including a parade, bazaar and another movie night. Between now and then, they will sponsor turkey shoots at Fairview Pool Park until Thanksgiving morning, when they will give away a shotgun.
Fonda Coffman, who was tending the treasure chest (filled with candy, of course), spoke about what the Fairview Lions do. In keeping with the international organization, their primary purpose is to provide persons in need with eyeglasses. The local club has also helped residents with the costs of medication, dental bills and utility bills. They also assist needy families during the Christmas season.
The Fairview Lions Club meets every second Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at Fairview Town Hall.
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