Trunk or Treat scares up huge crowd in Shiretown

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
TOUGH CHOICE — Mataya Pinette, left, and Kealy Britton chose from an assortment of Halloween candy during Saturday night’s sixth annual Trunk or Treat at the Houlton Wesleyan Church. About 500 children took part in this year’s festive event. See additional photos Page 10.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Young ghosts and goblins were treated to a double dose of Halloween excitement this year as the Houlton Wesleyan Church held it’s sixth annual Trunk or Treat celebration Saturday.
    Nearly 900 individuals took part in this year’s event, with roughly 500 children enjoying the celebration.
    Started in 2005 as an alternative to having children go door-to-door trick-or-treating, the Trunk or Treat event features a variety of children’s games held inside the church hall, followed by a brief spiritual message for the children. The party then moves outside where numerous automobiles are parked in a semi-circle, with their trunks filled with Halloween candy.
    “In 2005, when we held a meeting to plan the fall kick-off of our Wednesday night Clubhouse ministries for kids, we discussed having a Halloween alternative party,” said Hollie McAfee, one of the event’s organizers. “One of the volunteers had heard of Trunk or Treat events being successful in other churches around the country, and we decided to give it a try. It has been very well received by the community and has grown overwhelmingly.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
Kari Brewer, left, and Sam Hiscoe portray the roles of Alice and the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland at the Houlton Wesleyan Church’s annual Trunk or Treat event Saturday in Houlton.
    McAfee said the event could not have happened without the support of the volunteers, who donated candy for the children, helped run games and stayed behind long after the event was over to clean the church and set up the seats for Sunday morning’s service.
    The event is typically held on Halloween night, as an alternative to trick or treating. But with Halloween falling on a Sunday, and the amount of preparation needed to clear the church hall, the group decided to hold its event on Saturday, which likely attributed to the large increase in attendance.
    “Next year Halloween is on a Monday, and we will continue to host Trunk or Treat on Oct. 31,” McAfee said. “Most of all, Trunk or Treat is our church’s way of showing Christ’s love to the children of the Houlton area. We are very thankful for all of the support that the community has given the event.”

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
Kaitlyn Kenney is dressed as a fairy princess.

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
Doing a super job at the golf game in his Superman costume is Kyle Fortier.