MIDDLEBURY, Ind. -- LoveWay Inc. hosted its fifth annual Barn Boo-Nanza on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at its barn at 54151 County Road 33 in Middlebury, Indiana (Elkhart County). The free, sensory-friendly Halloween event was designed for families of children with disabilities. LoveWay provides equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities.
Barn stalls were transformed into candy booths decorated by local community partners and volunteers, and families in costume trick-or-treated stall to stall. An activity area offered spaced-out, accessible games for extra treats, including ring toss, a target ball toss, cornhole, and a rubber chicken toss. A miniature horse greeted guests at the entrance, and a photo booth was set up in the lobby.
Jessica Estep, LoveWay's director of development and communications, said one family told organizers their child would otherwise never have experienced trick-or-treating. She said 14 community partners decorated stalls this year and organizers expected 200 to 300 people (per organizer).
"All of our stalls have been transformed by local community partners and volunteers… we have them spaced out in a way that is not overwhelming for the individuals coming to attend." says Estep.
Kathryn Lane of Williams Warriors took part for the first time. Lane said she and her family started the organization in memory of her son, Liam, who died in 2019 of a rare genetic disorder. Lego bricks were his comfort during long hospital stays, and Williams Warriors now donates Lego sets to children's hospitals and therapy centers. Lane said the family makes sure Halloween includes non-candy options so children with feeding tubes, allergies, and other medical conditions can take part.
"Because Liam had a feeding tube, he also was on the ketogenic diet for epilepsy. We want to always make sure that there are inclusive items for all kids… so even kids with allergies and other complex conditions that can't have candy can participate and enjoy Halloween just as much as we wanted for Liam" says Lane.
