Trunk or treat: Community participates in seasonal tradition

EASTERN SUBURBS – Cars came decked out in polyester cobwebs, purple lights, and jack-o’-lanterns toward the end of October as community members joined in the fun of their local trunk-or-treat events. The daytime alternative to trick-or-treating has become a growing trend that lets kids walk up to the backs of parked cars and collect bagfuls of free candy ahead of Halloween.
The East Syracuse Minoa Teaching Assistants Association (ESMTAA) sponsored its first-ever pair of trunk or treats exactly a week apart this spooky season. One took place at Lewis Park in Minoa from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 22 and the other was held through the same two-hour stretch at the East Syracuse Firemen’s Field on Oct. 29.
With the events soundtracked by such songs as “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival and “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder, all the schools in the district were represented among those displaying their trunks. A group of Park Hill pre-K teachers carpooled to the Minoa park gathering in different colored M&M costumes, and a family arrived at the field on Hartwell Avenue dressed as dinosaurs to match their Jurassic Park-themed decorations.
Tammy Hughes, the president of the teaching assistants association, said that the Saturday events combined to make for a successful debut, adding that the attendees lucked out with sunny, 60-degree weather on both occasions.
She said the participating vehicles were “inundated” during the first hour on Oct. 22 but that there was a “steadier stream” of kids coming through on Oct. 29.
ESM School Board President D. Paul Waltz praised the idea of trunk-or-treating as he surveyed the Lewis Park event. He was there with members of the New York State University Police Department from Upstate Medical University, where he fulfills the role of chief of police.
“It fills your heart that you have so many caring people in the community that come out to do this and support not only our teaching assistants but also our kids,” Waltz said.
Cheryl Rhoades, who handles public relations for the ESMTAA, said the events provided “light and safe” environments where children could interact with trusted adults outside of the classroom. She said the car-to-car activity is well-suited for elementary schoolers and any kids with special needs.
“Sometimes it’s overwhelming to have students go up to a scary house,” Rhoades said. “We did it in the morning so it’s not dark and it’s not scary.”
The ESM trunk or treat events were organized with the help of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Local Action Project team. Leftover candy was reserved for the Syracuse VA Medical Center, and donations of canned, non-perishable items were made to the St. Matthew’s Church Food Pantry and Heaven’s Pantry, which operates from the Minoa United Methodist Church.
At the first-ever trunk or treat held by Town of DeWitt Parks of Recreation, people could be seen dressed as princesses, cowboys, the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man from “Ghostbusters,” and The Man with the Yellow Hat from “Curious George.”
That free event filled the parking spaces at Heritage Landing on Butternut Drive from 3 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 29. It also featured a pumpkin-carving contest, doughnuts and apple cider to go along with more than 70 opened trunks, over 30 crafters and bakers, and appearances from organizations like Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association and PEACE Inc.
DeWitt resident Jessica Evarts said she appreciates trunk or treats because in a closed parking lot she doesn’t have to worry about pulling her kids to the side away from passing cars.
Though not the same as the “traditional trick-or-treating experience,” she said having the trunk or treats earlier in the day keeps kids from being out of the house at all hours of the night.
“When I found out there was one in our backyard, I was like, ‘Hey, why not also volunteer?’” Evarts said. “It’s great for the community, and a lot of people enjoyed it. I’m hoping we can continue this for years to come.”
Over the course of the three-hour Town of DeWitt event, some trunks were left with more candy than they could give away, and others ran out even after bringing six mega-sized bags.