More than just candy

Fire Department event offers Halloween fun

PINEVILLE, Mo. — The Pineville Fire Department offered more than just candy this Halloween, with the station turned into a venue for games, photo booths, candy, and prizes for eager trick-or-treaters.

Chastity Derrisseaux, a volunteer firefighter at the station, took charge of the event, prioritizing creating a fun environment for children in the community. “I wanted to be able to open it up more for the public to know that we are not just there for you in an emergency call, but we’re part of the community,” Derrisseaux said. “And I wanted the kids to have a whole lot of fun, not just to come in and be gone.”

Derrisseaux, who coordinated the event for the first time this year, said she wants children, and their parents, to realize the Pineville Fire Department is there for the community all the time.

“We are here for you,” Derrisseaux said. “But, to me, the more that we can get involved with the kids, the less chance that kids are going to be out getting into trouble. If we can do this, or we can do that, we can keep the kids active and let the kids know that we’re here.”

Derrisseaux said she believes trick- or- treaters visiting the fire department is becoming an annual tradition for many, and she hopes that the fire department will continue to build its community relations on Halloween in years to come.

“I wanted to be able to open it up more for the public to know that we are not just there for you in an emergency call, but we’re part of the community.”

— Chastity Derrisseaux, Pineville Fire Department volunteer firefighter

Chastity Derrisseaux mans the station at the Pineville Fire Department Halloween event. Derrisseaux said she wants the kids, and the community, to know the Fire Department is here for them. (Special to NWA Democrat-Gazette/Alexus Underwood)

Lexi Most and Mallory Fischau passed out candy for the Pineville Eye Clinic and First Community Bank. The parade was moved inside this year due to rain.

Leighton Freeman and her dog appear in costume as a Starbucks barista and a “pup cup” at the Pineville Halloween parade. Students dressed up for the parade and their Halloween parties on Oct. 28.

Kaleigha Morris and Aden Shumate passed out candy for Bumper to Bumper. Some older students helped pass out candy for younger students in costume.