The chili is hot and the wheels are hotter, sponsors of a free family event said.

Great Bend Church of Christ has teamed up with Sunflower Rod and Custom to offer a Trunk or Treat with classic cars this Saturday, Oct. 26, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the church, located at 1122 Stone St. That’s behind the fire station at the corner of 12th and Stone. Kids can do their trick-or-treating and the families are welcome to come inside for a bowl of chili, said John Turner, minister at Great Bend Church of Christ.

This is the third year that the church has offered an afternoon chili feed on the Saturday before Halloween. Last year they planned to open at 1 p.m. but found a lot of people showing up early.

That’s not surprising, because Great Bend’s annual Halloween Parade starts at 11 a.m. on the south side of the Barton County Courthouse – over by the splash pad – and will wrap up around noon. Frankie Pelster from the Great Bend Kiwanis Club said the parade of kids in costume heads north on Main Street for trick or treating at downtown businesses. Even though the parade is on the sidewalks there are volunteers from Kiwanis and the two Aktion Clubs to help at crosswalks and hand out more candy. 

The parade usually wraps up by noon but Turner said the chili at this church will be ready at 12:30 p.m. and then it will be first come, first served. “Everything will be free,” he said. The car club will hand out candy and the church will have chili and cinnamon rolls. “It’s just a new thing we started to serve the community.”

If the kids need another chance to wear their costumes on Saturday — and get some more free candy — The city’s annual Zoo Boo runs from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo. This event is also free.