Bethalto Church Offers Free Family Fun at Candypalooza
Free candy and family activities are on the schedule for Candypalooza at Bethalto Church of God. Read what Pastor Ben Ratchford says about the idea behind the second annual gathering.
Bethalto Church of God’s free Candypolooza brings families together for fall fun
BETHALTO - Community members can enjoy a free night of fun and sugar at Candypalooza with Bethalto Church of God.
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From 5:30–7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, Bethalto Church of God will host their second annual Candypalooza event complete with bounce houses, a petting zoo, axe throwing, carnival games, face-painting, balloon animals, and, of course, lots of candy. Pastor Ben Ratchford promises a fun fall event for families, with a deeper message of connecting and building community.
“We have literally trash cans full of candy that kids will get. Some parents love me, some parents hate me, but that’s alright,” Ratchford joked. “We create these events so that families can just take a second, pause, and just be with each other and have a good time.”
Ratchford recognizes that “candy is on people’s brains” because of Halloween. Attendees can wear costumes or come as they are. But he promises all treats and no tricks; this family-friendly event doesn’t engage with the scary side of Halloween.
Instead, attendees are encouraged to simply enjoy an evening together. Last year, Bethalto Church of God welcomed nearly 1,000 people throughout the event. They expect similar numbers this year, and they hope to bring in many families for a fun day. Older kids are more than welcome to come out and have fun.
Ratchford noted that it’s easy to feel “so busy” and “isolated” in today’s world. Bethalto Church of God wants to combat this with events like Candypalooza. Their goal is to bring people together and encourage them to focus on the present moment.
The church is “designed” to think about families and how to help families engage, Ratchford added. They want to be part of your support system and help you find “peace” through the daily challenges you might face.
“Our church is really focused on that, how to help you become who you really are designed to be, not who everybody tells you you are, but who we feel God has called you to be through this scripture and through His Word,” Ratchford explained. “That’s what we feel the church is for, to be a support to you. Whether that’s through Candypalooza, a fun event, whether it’s a Bible study, whatever that is, however we can be there for you, that’s what we feel God has asked us to do.”
Bethalto Church of God offers Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. They also have a Tuesday prayer service and Wednesday groups. You can visit their official website for more information about the church.
But Ratchford emphasized that you don’t have to be a person of faith to come out and enjoy Candypalooza. The church wants to offer a fun, free event for all while promoting community and togetherness. After all, he said, this is the most important part of the event and the church’s ultimate goal.
“We get so isolated and separated, but there are moments that we need to come together. Remember, we’re part of something larger here,” he added. “Really, that’s what people want. They want to know somebody’s in my corner, and that’s what we can do as a church. We can be in your corner, rooting for you, praying for you, and supporting you through whatever life has thrown at you.”
For more information about Candypalooza, click here. Check out the official Bethalto Church of God website or their official Instagram page to learn more about the church.
This featured article is sponsored by Bethalto Church of God. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
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