An early warning of severe wind chills didn’t stop Great Bend children and families from trick-or-treating on Halloween. While at least one outdoor event was canceled after the dire weather forecast, the First Southern Baptist Church at 18th and Harrison simply moved its Fall Festival inside.

“This is our second year,” said Amber Singleton, who stood outside the church in her fairy princess costume, inviting people to come inside. When the festival got underway around 5:30 p.m., the temperature was 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

Inside the church, families could still enjoy hotdogs, candy and games for prizes.

It was warm enough for the usual crowd on both sides of Broadway Ave. The Great Bend Police Department had lights and signs warning motorists to slow down in the neighborhood along the islands of trees, where the foot traffic is always heavy. This year, several residences had set up tents or tables closer to the streets, which meant kiddos didn’t have to run through their yards or up porch steps. At least two local churches also had tables/tents set up along Broadway.

First Assembly of God posted on Facebook that its event was called “Light the Night” and invited people to “stop by and get a hotdog and hot chocolate.”

Temperatures began to drop as anticipated after sunset but remained above freezing throughout the evening.