The fifth annual Trunk or Treat will be hosted at the Nucla Fire Hall on Oct. 31, from 3 to 5 p.m. It is free to the public, all ages are welcome and community members are encouraged to come and pass out candy and treats to the children participating.
The Trunk or Treat event is a gathering of community members and families to safely celebrate the trick-or-treat tradition, by passing out Halloween treats from the trunks of their cars, rather than their front doors. To participate, the public only needs to park their vehicle, or bike, and bring treats to give out to the children; costumes and trunk themes are encouraged.
Sara Riddle established Trunk or Treat in 2018 as a trick-or-treat alternative that was both safe and family-friendly. As a mother of several young boys, she didn’t feel that the tradition of going door to door was the safest way to celebrate the holiday. In creating Trunk or Treat, her aim was to cultivate an experience tailored towards toddlers and elementary-age students, to give the younger kids a fun, exciting way to enjoy the festivities without the stress of trick-or-treating. The event takes place earlier in the afternoon to provide daylight hours to ensure safety and allow for families to participate in traditional Halloween festivities after the event.
Riddle said that this community event is very special to her, and she plans on hosting it for many years to come.
“It allows me to stay connected with the children and families in our community, including many former students I’ve had the privilege of teaching,” she said.
In previous years, the Riddles have worked with local businesses to help establish the identity of the event as an inclusive gathering for the community. Bachman Law donated a durable sign for the event that the Riddles use every year, and the Rimrocker Historical Society often donates tickets to visit the local museum, paving the way for other local businesses to join in the Halloween celebration. All small business owners are encouraged to join the festivities and grow their relationships with neighbors, friends and community members.
The Nucla Fire Department is also known to host a haunted house alongside the Trunk or Treat event, providing an additional activity, especially for families with both younger and older children. While the younger ones go trunk to trunk collecting treats, the older kids can enjoy scary fun at the haunted house, all in a safe, centralized space.
The Trunk or Treat event receives support from the first-responders, medics and police officers in the area, as Riddle always encourages the departments to host a trunk of their own, as a way of strengthening and building positive relationships with the children of the community.
Riddle said she is incredibly grateful to the businesses and families in the community for participating in the Trunk or Treat each year.
“We are truly fortunate to live where neighbors care for one another and come together to make special experiences like this possible,” she said. “Thank you for helping this tradition to grow each year. We hope to see you there for another fun and safe Halloween celebration.”
For more information on the upcoming Trunk or Treat event, the public may look for updates on Sara Riddle’s social media.
