The popular Trunk or Treat event is returning to ODAS Park later this fall for the fourth consecutive year.
Event organizer Derick Lehmann created the event during the COVID-19 pandemic as a safe way for children to trick-or-treat. Instead of going door-to-door, children go trunk-to-trunk in daylight in one single outdoor location.
This year's event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. Since the inception of the event, Lehmann's goal has been to have 100 trunkers handing out candy to accommodate 2,000 children.
"Last year we had over 70 cars and 1,200 kids," Lehmann said. "I've already had a bunch of people reaching out to ask if they can sign up now."
Lehmann says the event gives kids the chance to collect "loads of candy" all in one spot. Parents of younger children enjoy the event because it allows them to trick-or-treat in daylight in a location where there are no moving vehicles.
"It's not meant to replace trick-or-treating," he said. "That is still fun, and a lot of people still go out and do that, but during the daytime, it seems a little safer for the smaller kids."
The atmosphere of Trunk or Treat makes it a must-do Halloween experience, Lehmann says.
"It turns into a bit of a party," he said. "I plan on having a DJ out there again and the kids have fun with the selfie stations where parents take lots of pictures."
Free registration for trunkers who would like to hand out candy is now open.
"They love it because a lot of them have told me they don't get many kids depending where they live," Lehmann explained. "Local businesses come out who normally wouldn't participate in a trick-or-treating type thing on Halloween night."
Lehmann says trunkers go all out to decorate their vehicles for the event.
"Some of them are really intense," he said. "They are really detailed and really fun."
Lehmann says trunker spots are open to families, sports teams, community groups, and businesses.
"There is no cost to them except for they pay for their decorations and the candies they have to bring," he said. "It's not a for-profit event by any means, so everyone is welcome to come set up and hand out candy."
Trick-or-treaters can register starting Oct. 1. at 10 a.m. Candy collectors are asked to make a donation of their choice.
"We set that up to cover any expenses that we have," Lehmann said. "Any additional money raised we give to the Orillia Youth Centre."
Lehmann notes that only trick-or-treaters need to register for a ticket, parents or guardians do not. He also encourages people to keep checking back to thebigevent.ca because if tickets are sold out, more could become available as trunkers continue to register.
