CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Fall fun continues as leaves tumble and local churches stage annual Harvest Festivals. Carmichael’s oldest church, Carmichael Presbyterian last week hosted congregant families and visitors at a festival that combined harvest celebrations with Halloween shenanigans. A 12 ft inflatable dinosaur wandered the campus. Petting zoo critters were much-cuddled. Pastor Keith DeVries wore a Superman cape. The youngest of his flock gathered candy from decorated tailgates in a "Trick or Trunk" lane of the parking lot.

American River Community Church offered train rides with Pastor Reimer manning the engine. A “pie-walk” provided take-home desserts as prizes.

Harvest festivals date back through millennium and in many cultures; God-fearing communities annually rejoice in harvests that favor their winter survival. Thanksgiving – commemorating such a celebration by America’s first european settlers – is just weeks away. Gather ye pumpkins while ye may.