“Trunk or Treat” is a lot of planning, coordinating and time spent ensuring that only safe and reliable sponsors are approved. It is nothing we take lightly. We have received emails and letters from individuals and businesses expressing their valued opinions about the event.
Their main view is that Trunk or Treat takes away from the American tradition of house-to-house trick- or-treating, and the safety issue that we teach our children not to approach a stranger’s car.
Another concern was that it is taking the trick-or-treaters away from the neighborhoods.
One business expressed the concern that it isn’t getting the children out and walking for health reasons.
Our view is this: We also teach our children not accept candy from strangers and that they do not approach a stranger’s home.
The American tradition of house-to-house used to be the same people, same neighbors. Several areas in our community are now nightly or month-by-month rentals. The traditional neighborhoods are slowly leaving. Very few neighborhoods with the exception of Walker and Tusher streets and the surrounding homes saw little, if any, children. Trunk or Treat gives everyone the opportunity to come out and join in on the fun.
It takes about 45 minutes to walk through the line, leaving time for the traditional trick or treat. As for the concern that it isn’t getting the children any healthy exercise, what is healthy about candy, whether they are walking from house to house or car to car?
We also encourage the Teal Pumpkin Project.
In addition the Trunk or Treat has law enforcement on-site. All vehicles are registered and screened, along with car make and model and license plate numbers. We need to give our children more credit that they know the difference between a car pulling up and asking them to see a puppy or trunk or treating with the safety nets there.
Trunk or Treat this year is at the Old Spanish Trail Arena. If the weather is bad, it will be inside the arena. It’s from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Halloween night.
We still need people willing to sponsor a trunk. It can be elaborate or simple. It can be a table, booth motorcycle, etc. We are encouraging the candidates running for office in November to come out. What a better way to meet voters.
Sherilyn Sowell and the Grand County Family Support Center staff
