A safe alternative to trick-or-treating this Halloween will be available for children ages 1 to 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Martin Luther King Jr. Union University Ballroom.

The fifth annual “Kids Fun Fest” will include a bounce house, games, prizes, a costume contest and of course, candy.

Camille Williams, adviser of the Elogeme Adolphi Christian Sorority, said some parents do not allow trick-or-treating for a variety of reasons. Members of this sorority took the initiative to find a safe and fun alternative to give kids the opportunity to dress up and have candy. This is a free event open to all children in search of something to do on Halloween.

“The kids can still get the Halloween-feel,” Williams said. “They will just be safe not going door-to-door.”

Tashi Kuti, a member of Elogeme, said this year children can come enjoy the activities and remain safe from clowns reported in some areas.

Something new for this year’s festival is the bounce house, Williams said.

The group has had a costume contest where parents can cheer their children on and it is a lot of fun, Kuti said.

In the past, anywhere from 40 to 60 kids have attended the fun fest.

Williams said they have a great time throughout the night. The parents also stay while the children go to different tables with a variety of games and entertainment.

“The little kids get to see a big campus with their little, cute eyes,” Kuti said. “It is a new environment for them. Their parents don’t have to have a leash on them in the building.”

Money earned through the sorority’s previous fundraisers goes toward hosting other celebrations like the Kid’s Fun Fest. Williams said the events and fundraisers they host focus on “social aspects, spiritual levels, community service and education.”

The group meets monthly at a mandatory meeting and encourages unity and love across campus, Kuti said.

She said the Elogeme demonstrates respect and spreads “Christ-like characteristics.”

The sorority has eight current members on campus. Williams joined nearly four years ago because she wanted a group of sisters who had a Christian background and friends she knew would pray for her.

She said she wanted them to hold her accountable for being on track in life.

Kuti joined nearly three years ago because it was the easiest way for her to find a group of women heading in the same direction with the same mentality she has.

If students are interested in joining, Kuti said the process for inducting new members is coming up in November. A date has not yet been set.

Kennedy Nolen can be reached at 581-2812 or kdnolen@eiu.edu.