SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene is once again offering a warm, safe place full of fun activities for families to enjoy on Halloween night.

Now in its third year, the "Light up the Night" Halloween carnival has grown each year to not only include more activities, but more people as well.

"Last year we were graced with about 1,000 people," said Phoebe Ogg, church member and event coordinator. "It was pretty exciting."

Ogg said while this will mark the third year for the large carnival, the church always had a smaller Halloween event in previous years.

There are activities for all ages Ogg said, including face painting, a balloon room, a cake walk, and "all kinds of games" with new, bigger games that will be a little more challenging for the older kids than in previous years, she said. There will also be an expanded kid zone, which Ogg called the "0-5 Kid Zone." A maze will take visitors from one end of the building to the other as well.

Ogg said there is a "wonderful" door prize drawing as she will be drawing a winner every five minutes or so. Prizes include gift certificates from around town, she said, highlighting two tickets to a concert of choice at the Festival at Sandpoint. There is also an evening at Hotel Ruby and several gift certificates to local restaurants.

"There are quite a few restaurants that donate every year," Ogg said.

There will be free food available, including hot dogs, chili, cider, cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones.

The carnival is free of charge, though there will be a food drive, so donations of canned food are welcome. The carnival will be open from 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene, 477954 Highway 95 North, Ponderay.

"We are so blessed to be able to do this for our community, and we just love it," Ogg said. "We love to give back to our community."

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountdailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.