The Southside Baptist Church harvest party has become a community staple for Halloween night.

The Carolina Road congregation puts on a huge party for the community to attend every year. The event offers food, games, family pictures and more.

“This is an alternative, safe environment for the kids,” said Wayne Turner, who is in charge of games at the event. “This is an outreach to the community.”

The church already has thousands of hot dogs and dozens of gallons of chili prepared to cook for the crowd. About 2,200 people attended last year’s event, Turner said.

The event also will feature appearances by local public safety departments and the opportunity to meet and talk with church staff.

About 50 games that will be on site include putt-putt, ring toss, darts, a dunking booth, paintball, table tennis and more. A hayride will take visitors on a journey, and about 175 cakes will be ready for cakewalk winners.

Other children’s activities will include a blow-up slide and moonwalk, pony rides, a maze and more.

“We’ve even got a bowling alley set up,” Turner said.

Because Halloween is on a Sunday this year, the event will begin at 5 p.m. and run to 8 p.m. Typically, it starts later to allow people to get home from work, Turner said.

The entire event is free, but visitors will be asked to register. A form is available for download from the church’s website, www.sbcsuffolk.org. For more information, visit the website or call 539-6629. The church is located at 917 Carolina Road.