Trunk or treat: candy meets cars in popular Halloween activity
Greg Sherwin and Susan Sherwin of McDonald created an abandoned mine theme for Saturday’s Mt. Pleasant’s Trunk or Treat event. Alyssa Wasco, 5, enjoyed getting candy in her Rainbow Dash costume.
Grace Stanish and Ameilia Stanish, 4, of Charlotte, N.C., trick or treat at Terri Eiler’s vehicle.
J.R. Growden,3, and Ricky Growden,5, walk the plank to get their treats from Jeanne PhillipsþÄô stand at the trunk or treat event. Mt. Pleasant Parks and Recreation held the event on Saturday, October 29. More than 140 children walked from vehicle to vehicle to claim their treats.
Westin Decker,7 months old of Burgettstown, keeps protection of the potatoes in his bag of potatoes costume at his familyþÄôs trunk or treat station. The Deckers had a farm theme to their stand.
Typically on Halloween, Disney characters, super heroes, ghosts and cowboys march down streets, kicking crunchy leaves as they make their way to their neighbors’ front doors in a quest for treats.
These days, however, you’re just as likely to see youngsters circulating through church or school parking lots, loading up on candy from the trunks of decorated cars.
Trunk or treats, as they’re called, are fast becoming popular in Southwestern Pennsylvania as a safe alternative, or supplement, to traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating.
In Mt. Pleasant Township, more than 140 children turned out for the fourth annual Trunk or Treat, held Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of the municipal building.
Katie Grant, chairman of the Mt. Pleasant Township parks and recreation committee, which organized the event, said parents like the idea of having their children celebrate in a well-lit, supervised area.
Trunk or treat is a great solution for children in rural areas where houses are spread apart.
“We don’t have sidewalks in Hickory, and for younger kiddos, this is great. We don’t want to take away from trick-or-treat, and this doesn’t interfere with kids’ trick-or-treating,” said Grant. “Right from the get-go, we’ve had great attendance at trunk or treat.”
There were 90 cars this year, and many trunks were decked out with elaborate themed displays such as Candyland, a pirate ship and an abandoned mine. Kids and adults alike dressed up for the event.
“People get creative and a lot of the themes are super cute,” said Grant.
At most trunk-or-treat events, children or cars, or both, have to register.
The city of Monessen has been holding a trunk or treat for three years, said Matt Shorraw, president of the Monessen City Park Amphitheater committee, where the event was held Saturday.
The committee prepared for about 230 trick-or-treaters, the same amount as last year, and 38 cars registered.
“For me, it’s one of the most fun events we do during the year. I love seeing the cars and the costumes,” said Shorraw, noting that treat bags are awarded for the best decorated cars and costumes. “Some people go all out. Last year, someone had a fog machine. Someone else turned their trunk into a mouth. My neighbors have been excited about this since July. They’re doing a Game of Thrones theme.”
This year, following trunk or treat, families stayed at the amphitheater to watch the movie “Casper.” Snacks were provided by the amphitheater committee.
“This is fun for kids and adults,” said Shorraw. “It’s a community event that brings everyone together.”