AROUND TOWN

Pumpkin party for kids

The annual Tiny Tots Pumpkin Party is a time for children ages 3 to 6 to decorate a pumpkin and partake in other Halloween fun at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Sam Pipes Room of City Hall, 678 W. 18th St. The cost is $5 a child. Costumes and parents are welcome. Space is limited, so preregistration is required at the Merced Parks and Recreation Department in the Civic Center. For more information, call (209) 385-6298.

Trunk N’ Treat

This Ain’t Your Mama’s Church is scheduled to hold its ninth annual Trunk N’ Treat from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. The church is at 1405 W. Main St. The community is invited to a safe alternative to Halloween. There will be bounce houses, free hot dogs, cake walks, games, music, candy and more. For more information, go to www.bikechurch.org or call (209) 726-6123.

Noah’s Ark Festival

A Noah’s Ark Festival is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Merced Christian School, 3312 North G St. The event will include food, carnival games and activities. Advance tickets can be purchased at the school office.

Gateway Fall Festival

Gateway Community Church will hold its Fall Festival from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at 353 E. Donna Drive. The event will feature carnival games, food, bounce houses, prizes, candy and more. For more information, call (209) 723-4283.

Reverse trick or treat!

The office of dentist Von Goodin will have a Halloween candy “Sweet Swap” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 830 W. Olive Ave. Children can donate their leftover Halloween candy to be distributed in care packages to military personnel through Operation Gratitude. Children attending will earn raffle tickets to earn prizes. The first 100 children will receive a complimentary goody bag filled with surprises. For more information and to RVSP, call (209) 384-3434 or go to www.facebook.com/Vongoodindds.

Inspirational entertainer

Humorist, songwriter and inspirational speaker Aaron Wilburn will appear at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Calvary Temple Worship Center, 2740 N. Highway 59. A featured artist on many Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, Wilburn’s comedy routines have garnered over 15 million views on YouTube. As a songwriter, he has received multiple Dove and Grammy Award nominations. Also scheduled to appear is Bridge of Grace. Admission is free.

Retired teachers trip

The California Retired Teachers Association will host a Holiday Shopping Trip on Nov. 11 at the Livermore Premium Outlets. Participants will meet at the Merced Smart and Final at 7:45 a.m. The bus leaves at 8 a.m. with 47 seats available. Shoppers will receive a coupon book upon arrival. The bus departs Livermore at 3 p.m. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Payment reserves a seat on the bus, and the reservation deadline is Nov. 3. To make a reservation, contact Lee Ann Applegate, 1148 Curry Village Court, Merced 95340, (209) 722-2803. Make checks payable to M/M CalRTA.

Christmas tree displays

It’s time to plan your Christmas tree display at the Merced County Courthouse Museum. Help the museum decorate its historic building while you publicize your organization, school, classroom or business. Registration forms for Christmas trees are now available at the museum. This year’s Christmas Open House will be from 1 to 4 pm. Dec. 7. For specifics and a registration form, stop by the museum Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. or call the museum office at (209) 723-2401. Registration forms will be due back by Nov. 10.

This story was originally published October 26, 2014 at 4:36 PM with the headline "AROUND TOWN."