It’s been 10 years since the idea to hold a Trunk or Treat in Bradford was formed.
Since then, the event has grown, adding activities and bringing in thousands of parents and children to celebrate Halloween alongside their fellow Bradfordians.
Grace Lutheran Church and Open Arms Community Church of Bradford work together to organize the event, which was held Monday evening at Grace Lutheran’s Community Life Center on Mechanic Street. Offerings — all free — included hot dogs, face painting, candy and games such as bean bag toss and Plinko.
Once the party was well under way and the Life Center filled with families playing games and enjoying hot dogs, a line of eager trick-or-treaters could be seen extending nearly to Pearl Street from the church parking lot, where volunteers handed out candy from their vehicles.
About 16 vehicles participated in the candy giveaway this year, according to Alex Davis, local missions team coordinator at Open Arms Community Church.
Looking at the crowd about halfway through the event, Selene Machuga, Grace Lutheran Community Life Center coordinator, said, “I think it’s better than last year. The weather has a lot to do with it.”
Machuga explained it was 10 years ago that she and her then-assistant both saw trunk or treat events advertised and thought it would be a good fit for Bradford.
It was about three to four years ago that the hot dogs and food was added, and for the past couple of years, the Bradford Nature Co. has donated a basket for a free family fun basket giveaway. “We continue to look for new outreach opportunities,” said Machuga. Speaking on the event’s popularity, she said, “It’s become a safe family place to trick-or-treat. It’s safe.It’s fun.”
The event’s impact is even farther-reaching than that, according to Davis.
“This event is a fun and safe way to serve the community,” he said. “But it’s not all about the candy, the games and the face painting, it’s all about shining the light of Jesus.”
Davis enjoys watching the trick-or-treaters have fun. “As always, it’s exciting to see the looks on the children’s faces. There were no scares, no grimaces, no tricks — just smiles,” he said.
One example, Terell Cabisca, almost 2-years-old and dressed as a puppy, moved around with the excitement one would expect from a child experiencing one of his first Halloween parties. Grandfather Kevin McNamara said this was the first year he was to bring his grandsons to the event. “I’ve always been working,” he said.
McNamara appreciated having a place to celebrate out of the weather, too. “We’re having a good time.”
While McNamara chatted, his 4-year-old grandson David Cabisca appeared. “Look what I can do!” he exclaimed, jumping in his Captain America costume.
For Bradford sixth-grader Sean Luce, the holiday gave him an opportunity to pull together objects from his house for his costume. “I’m creative,” he said, talking about the pieces he put together.
Sean was able to reuse the mask from last year’s bloody ghost costume, pairing it with a bow set — the arrows are missing, he noted — and his Boy Scout shirt.
Meanwhile, Dave Kohlmeier said he’s come to the event for the past four or five years. On Monday, he brought his 13-year-old child and 4-year-old stepchild to enjoy the activities. He brings them to enjoy the games. “The kids always get a decent amount of candy,” he added.
Another plus? Not dealing with issues like traffic, according to Kohlmeier.
Jen and Jim McDonald attended with their 7-, 10- and 13-year-old children in tow.
They’ve attended for about four or five years, too, but Jen McDonald noted that while they usually “attend the trunk” to hand out candy, this year they’re treating. She likes that they’ve added activities over the years such as face painting and games, and she appreciates that it’s a safer environment.
The McDonalds’ children dressed in a homemade fox costume, as a witch and a favorite video game bad guy.
Tiffany Mott, 9, donning a furry purple monster hood and pink-and-purple mask, attended with her mother, Cathy Skaggs.
Skaggs said the night wouldn’t be over for the pair after they left Trunk or Treat, as they were heading next to The Pavilion at BRMC to see the residents and trick-or treat. “We go up there every Halloween,” she said.
Skaggs had well-wishes to share with the community: “Happy Halloween to everybody and have a safe time!”
