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For parents looking for a safe alternative to traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating, or isolated neighbors that want to participate in the seasonal fun on Halloween, Oct. 31, several locations around town will host “trunk-or-treat” gatherings.
Although Police Chief Chris Noble confirmed that there are no upticks or trends in criminal activity related to Halloween, some families prefer this more consolidated version of the celebration, where parents, businesses and clubs set up shop in pre-determined locations, handing out treats from booths or the trunks of their cars.
This helps take some of the walking strains off of children, eliminates the threat of street dangers and allows more community members to see the costumes on display in a safe environment.
Elgin’s Parks and Recreation department will host their annual gathering at downtown’s Veterans’ Memorial Park, from 4 to 7 p.m., along Depot Street and Avenue C.
The event will line the streets and park with volunteers and candy bags, ready to be distributed. Games will be set up and North Bastrop County Fire Rescue will be bringing out some of their emergency response trucks for pictures.
Businesses and organizations are invited to sign up by emailing parks@elgintexas. gov.
The Elgin Chamber of Commerce will be participating, transforming their headquarters in the park into a “haunted chamber” from 5 to 8 p.m., with photo back drops set up for guests.
Pastor Jason Huddleston and the First Baptist Church will host their own event at their new, well-lit facility at 13916 County Line Road from 6 to 8 p.m., nestled in between Elgin High School and Neidig Elementary School.
“We’re hoping it will be a great opportunity to meet all of our new neighbors that have moved into the new subdivisions surrounding us,” Huddleston said.
Their trunk-or-treat events have drawn over 1,000 visitors in the past, and they will be supplying free food and drinks along with plenty of candy.
The church’s new location has helped them see some phenomenal growth, according to Huddleston.
“God has been doing some amazing things, we’ve baptized something like 24 people in the past 20 weeks,” he said.
Local church, Jesus the Alpha & Omega, will also be providing another option for families in the downtown area.
Located at 511 E. Sixth St., their “Lights Unhidden” safe night of family fun will be centered around the Gospel of Jesus Christ from 6 to 8 p.m., with free sausage wraps, candy bags and games.
Even just as a pit stop on a longer trick-or-treating trail, these locations help change the dynamic of what Halloween can be for families and children looking to get all the candy they can.
