As October ends with its bipolar weather, lots of young kids may be wondering one important question: “Will I need to cover my wonderful costume with a coat?” But the adults are wondering: “Where can my kids find wonderful treats? And what time will the treats be given out?” For Orange City, there are quite a few options for kids to receive fun treats and some college student opportunities to hand out candy.
The uptown business’s trick or treat event is on Friday, Oct. 25 from noon – 5 p.m. Kids can come dressed in costumes receiving treats from local businesses like Kweken Co., Brad’s Bistro, Aria and other uptown buildings that kids frequent such as the library. Dollar Fresh will be handing out items on Oct. 26 in the morning.
“I’m looking forward to doing something for the kids,” junior Mandi Rist, who works at Dollar Fresh, said. “Employees get to dress up, and the kids can come in costume. We will be handing out coloring books and probably candy.”
Local churches are also hosting trunk or treat nights. Trinity Reformed Church’s trunk-or-treat is on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6-7:30 p.m. Rist is also the children’s ministry assistant at Trinity Reformed Church. “People have signed up to decorate their trunks,” Rist said. “There is a space one, a minion one, football theme, Jesus loves you s’more and a glow with God.”
Trinity encourages groups to sign up to decorate a trunk, so if this piques your interest, grab your friends and sign up! “I’m planning on decorating one,” Rist said.
“For this event, we are in need of your help,” an email sent out to Trinity churchgoers on Oct. 18 said. “In past events, there has been over 40 trunks and we are only about ten percent of the way there for this year’s event. We encourage Life Groups, families, and friends to decorate a trunk for this event.”
Trinity also has a campus in the nearby town of Hospers, hosting a trunk-or-treat event at the same time. Taco trucks will be available at both locations beforehand.
Other Orange City churches participating in trunk-or-treat nights include First Reformed, American Reformed, Dover Avenue Alliance Church and New Hope Evangelical Free Church.
Trunk-or-treating originally began as a “safer” alternative for trick-or-treating sometime in the ‘90s, according to an NPR article. Instead of receiving candy from strangers, parents can be assured that their kids are receiving candy from familiar faces. Trunk-or-treats are also typically earlier than dedicated trick-or-treat nights. So, instead of seeking candy in the dark hours of the night, kids can get candy when the sun is out or just setting.
Trunk-or-treats or trick-or-treats can be much more than just costumes, cars and candy. It is also a part of community.
