Members of the New Prospect Voices of Praise choir perform at the Hallelujah block party. (Enquirer photo/Leigh Patton)

Billed as a Christian alternative to Halloween, the event drew about 1,500 people, mostly families with young children.

The annual event, started in 1999 by members of New Prospect Baptist Church, isn't a backlash against Halloween, but rather a chance to do something positive for the community's children.

"And also to praise God, which is what we are all about," said LaVeren Sutton, a church member who organized the event.

The block party actually stretched across several blocks around Elder and Findlay streets.

Tan Richardson, 29, of Mount Airy, brought her three children, ages 2 to 7.

"What's great about this event is that it's not just a church thing," Richardson said. "It's here for the whole community, and people really respond."

The party included food, games, face painting and activities for kids at no charge. The church also offered free haircuts to the first 100 boys ages 3-12, and hats and gloves to all children - a way of preparing for the winter.

The church, which is in a predominantly African-American neighborhood, also used the event to host a health fair.

Be it cancer, heart disease, diabetes or AIDS, African-Americans are dying faster from their illnesses than white residents.

In general, health disparities are caused by an array of factors, including socioeconomic levels, environment, lifestyle and behavior, and access to medical care, experts say. But mistrust of the health-care system also is a factor.

Representatives from various health agencies, including the American Cancer Society, set up booths and handed out pamphlets on healthy eating, smoking cessation and exercise.

E-mail mleingang@enquirer.com