By Leila Merrill
Community groups across the country are hosting a Halloween event called trunk-or-treat. It’s like trick-or-treat except the drivers gather someplace where cars can be parked and kids and go from trunk to trunk gathering candy or other goodies.
Some events are designed for younger children and their parents, and take place during daylight hours. Some people decorate their cars or wear costumes, but it’s not a requirement. Some fire departments host or participate in these events, too – and even let visitors check out the fire apparatus.
Here is a quick roundup of a few of the trunk-or-treat events in which fire departments are participating this year.
Trunk-or-treat events
The fire department in Hillsdale Township, Pennsylvania, hosted a trunk-or-treat event Saturday that drew an estimated 2,300 people, according to the Hillsdale Daily News. The events included trunk-or-treating, a costume contest and hay rides.
https://www.facebook.com/HillsdaleDailyNews/posts/4990530707641517
On Thursday, the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department in Maryland hosted its event, which included food trucks, too.
https://www.facebook.com/RosedaleVolunteerFireCompany/posts/268636521936884
The Bonneville County Sheriff, Idaho Falls Police and Idaho Falls Fire Department will host their trunk-or-treat event on Saturday.
The fire and police departments in Argentine, Michigan, got into the Halloween spirit earlier this month. The police department estimated that about 700 children showed up for treats and games.
https://www.facebook.com/ArgentineTownshipPoliceDepartment/posts/4570493069684232
The Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department in western Pennsylvania is doing something different with its trunk-or-treat event. This year, it will also be a food-truck-fueled fundraiser to support the police K-9 unit.
https://www.facebook.com/GilpinTwpVFD/posts/4526482390742106
The Soldier Township Fire Department in Kansas is hosting its trunk-or-treat event on Sunday. Fire trucks will be on view to the public.
https://www.facebook.com/SoldierTownshipFire/posts/7073556646003828
All nine fire stations in Spring, Texas, also plan to host truck or treat events on Sunday night.
https://www.facebook.com/springfdtx/posts/10166157502515624
The South Londonderry (Vermont) Fire Department is partnering with the First Baptist Church of South Londonderry for a haunted firehouse and trunk-or-treat event on Sunday.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=4104693856301216&id=346191912151448
Is your agency scaring up some community fun by participating in a trunk-or-treat event? Email us at editor@firerescue1.com.