Stephens City UMC to host free community Trunk or Treat event Saturday, October 29

Stephens City UMC will host their sixth Halloween Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 29 from 2-5 PM.   A huge turnout is expected for the Trunk-or-Treat to be held at 5291 Main Street (back parking lot); Costume Parade scheduled for 5 PM.  The event will include 15 decorated vehicles strategically parked in the lot adjacent to the church building one hour before the events begins.  Newtown Heritage Festival and Toys for Tots will also have representative booths for distributing candy.  Volunteers will direct traffic to guide vehicle flow to the back parking lot and also have a designated walking area away from traffic for children and parents moving around the parking lot.

Daycare Chair Debbie Jones (Queen Bee) hands out treats to eager children. Courtesy Scott Saylor.

According to Stephens City UMC event organizer Jacquetta Owen, Halloween should be a fun and free holiday that benefits both the children and young teens who relish participation and the adults who help them find healthy, constructive ways to celebrate. “ I am so pleased and excited to invite families to our annual Trunk or Treat.  This is an opportunity to grow community and provide a safe venue for kids to dress up and collect treats.  There is nothing better than watching families have fun, partake in kid’s games and experience a good time,” Owen said.

Trunk-or-Treat events can be a safer alternative to trick-or-treating.  This is done by creating an environment that limits hazards and provides adequate supervision for youth.  Additionally, the event provides access to Halloween festivities for families who do not live in a typical residential neighborhood. Everyone is invited and all residing within the town limits can easily bring their whole family and actually walk to the destination.  “Halloween costumes are encouraged.  The church organizers ask participants to use Halloween themes that will be suitable for young children with decorations kept to a scare-minimum,” added Owen.

Artist Michael Bulley, will create balloon animals for the kids.  Children are always fascinated by the magic from the timeless art of balloon twisting and balloon animals.  Lolo the Clown will provide entertainment for adults and children.  Besides the usual Halloween themed games, there will be a Youth Fun House and a Costume Parade at 5 PM along Main, Filbert and Germain Streets.  There are no competitive prizes, just a playful experience for the children.  Parade oversight will be provided by Stephens City police cruiser escort.  The cruisers, with lights flashing, will lead and trail the parade, offering caution to pedestrians and safety awareness to vehicle traffic along the short route.

Entire families attend in costume during the Trunk or Treat event. Courtesy Mary E. Powell

The Stephens City fire and rescue department plans to provide an engine on site which includes tours of the customized equipment used during firefighting operations and members on-site to assist with the static display.  Kids will meet firefighters and learn about fire safety basics and have an opportunity to take photos with Sparky the Fire Dog.  The fire truck will blare its siren at precisely 2 PM to commence the Trunk-or-Treat activity and again at 5 PM to conclude the candy give-away.

Pastor Bertina Westley will be on site to welcome in Trunk or Treat families and inform them about other activities at the church to include the mammoth Easter Egg Hunt, pre-school, daycare, senior center, food pantry, vacation bible school, and STEM camp. “Visitors should be sure to register for the one hundred-dollar, fifty dollar and twenty-five-dollar gift cards while checking-in for photographs or other activities,“ Pastor Westley said.  A Fall/Halloween backdrop set up will be available so parents can photograph their kids in costumes.

Halloween crowd milling about the candy laden vehicles at Stephens UMC parking lot. Courtesy Marty Barley.

2021 attendance was estimated at between 300-400 people.

For more information, please contact Jacquetta Owen at Jacquettaowen@gmail.com or 540-450-4601.