When it comes to planning good-natured fun that occurs in unexpected ways, “Fear Factor” ain’t got nothin’ on Alma Center’s Immaculate Conception youth group.

The local youth group held its own “Fear Factor” on Sunday, July 19, and members invited their friends to come along and join the fun.

Wanting to be completely fair, teams were chosen by each grabbing a piece of candy. What they didn’t know until they took a taste of the delectable-looking chocolates was that “Fear Factor” style — things weren’t exactly as they seemed. Imagine your first bite of garlic alfredo truffles, Tabasco sauce-flavored chocolate-covered marshmallows, chocolate-covered caramel with fried onion, pickled mushrooms dipped in chocolate and pork sausage fondant covered with chocolate.

Teams were challenged with various activities. The first was trying to shave balloons and most of the shaving cream ended up on the contestants.

Teams had to find grapes in chocolate pudding with their hands behind their backs, and then there was the Twinkie eating contest — with Twinkies containing ketchup, mustard, and even sauerkraut.

The next competition involved making ice cream sundaes, and participants had to feed it to the person behind them while looking forward.

At the end of the competition was the greatest incentive for team work of all — an old-fashioned tug of war. To add interest, the pit was covered with shaving cream, whipped cream, chocolate pudding and syrup.

In the midst of all this fun, there was a message to be learned from the “Fear Factor” theme.

“Fear is defined as a feeling of agitation or anxiety caused by the unknown, said Joan Esser, youth minister and one of the coordinators of the event. “Everyday events are unknown to us. When we wake up in the morning we don’t know what may happen. Fear can hold us back from enjoying what life has to offer. Faith teaches us to rely on the Lord for all things, but especially those things that cause us fear.”

Contestants were hosed off, trophies were awarded to the first-place team consisting of Charles Casper, Tim Leis, Mackenzie Finch, Nick Olson, and Lorelei D’Huyvetter and the afternoon of fun came to an end.

If smiles and laughter were any indication, a good time was had by everyone — participants and spectators alike.