Unaka – The Unaka Community Development Club hosted its first Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat at the center from 5-7 p.m. Saturday.
This is the largest turnout a club event has even seen at the center, with more than 75 people in attendance. Volunteers from Ogreeta Baptist Church, Unaka Baptist Church, Unaka Volunteer Fire Department and High Lonesome Therapeutic Equestrian Center worked with club members to bring the community a night full of fall fun.
The Unaka Community Development Club has worked hard over the last year to host special events, like the Fall Festival, as well as weekly and monthly events to bring the community together.
“We aspire to be good neighbors and a tight community. Events like this help us to bring everyone closer together,” said Holly Willis, president of the club.
Community members decorated the trunks of their vehicles and parked on the old ball field behind the center. Kids were invited to come in costume and bring their candy buckets for a Trunk or Treat, and Lauren Dilts, owner of High Lonesome, brought a friendly Shetland pony for kids to pet and engage with.
The Unaka Fire Department parked a truck for kids to learn about and take photos with, and afterward kids were able to play on the ball field and trade candy with each other. Firefighters also set up a table to explain safety to kids and provide information to homeowners about how they can protect themselves, and their families, in case of a fire.
“We’re a rural area, but we want the community to still get to know and spend time with their neighbors. We might be spread out, but we’re still close,” Willis said.
Inside the Unaka Community Center, there was a variety of chilis for guests to try, caramel apples and other desserts, fresh apple cider and hot chocolate, and freshly made popcorn. Kids were able to play rounds of cornhole, color fall-themed pictures and decorate sticker jack-o’-lanterns.
Details: The Unaka Community Development Club updates events on Facebook.