Friday is shaping up to be one of the best and busiest Halloweens Fayette has seen in a long time. With the holiday falling on a Friday, lots of trick-or-treaters are expected to be prowling the streets late.

Festivities kick off downtown Fayette with Trunk-or-Treat at 5 p.m., presented by Downtown Fayette. The annual event was postponed from Sunday afternoon due to rainy weather.

From there, trick-or-treaters should make their way to 203 West Spring Street for the fourth annual PumpkinFest, presented by Linn Memorial United Methodist Church. The annual Halloween event, hosted from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the church’s parsonage, was created by Pastor Bill O’Neal, who has held PumpkinFest at several other Methodist Churches around the state, such as Waynesville and Wentzville. The first year was held when Rev. O’Neal was in seminary school and was held in downtown Kansas City as a way to reach out to the community.

“I just feel like more people are getting into it,” Rev. O’Neal said about PumpkinFest in Fayette. “We had a lot of people show up last year. I think people are learning this is where you go.

PumpkinFest premiered in Fayette in 2022 and has steadily grown each year since. This year, Central Methodist University's Greek organizations will help out. Members of Sigma Pi Alpha and the Mokers join in the fun. The event features games and activities with free candy, s’mores, hot dogs, and a selfie station. (See advertisement on Page 4).

Trick-or-treaters are expected to be out in force this year with Halloween on Friday. The people of Fayette stepped up in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the children of this community a wonderful Halloween. Since then, trick-or-treating has seen a resurgence, with popular areas along West Davis Street. Other neighborhoods have been getting in on the action around town, among them North Church Street.

Fayette High School football will also be in action Friday night with the first round of district play. The Falcons will host Westran at 7 p.m. at Thomas S. Davis Memorial Field. The game will mean plenty of traffic along Highway 5, so kids and parents are encouraged to watch for cars.