KING CITY — The third annual Trunk or Treat will be hosted by King City Recreation Department, which takes on a whole new significance as parents consider what it means to trick-or-treat in the era of Covid-19.
Trunk or Treat not only offers a place where staff oversee health safety with candy handouts, but also provides a venue for participants to decorate their vehicles for a community contest.
“The aim is to provide a fun, safe and family-friendly activity for King City kids and their families,” said Andrea Wasson, the city’s recreation coordinator. “It’s so important that everything not be taken from the kids, and by still offering events while following the guidelines, it will allow everyone to participate.”
This year’s Trunk or Treat will differ from past years by being a drive-through format only on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City.
Wasson explained trick-or-treaters were allowed to walk through the event in past years, but Covid-19 health guidelines have caused an adjustment.
Wasson said the plans are for participants to line up at the fairgrounds parking lot similar to the food bank drive-through distributions, and then weave through the fairgrounds and likely collect candy bags from one point.
While state and county guidelines are under a continuous change, revision and clarification process, Wasson said the City of King met with county health department officials on Oct. 2 to make sure the Trunk or Treat could be carried out in a safe fashion. This comes after other area cities are putting Halloween plans in place, but one South Monterey County city decided not to move forward with Trunk or Treat plans.
“The walk-through trunk-or-treating is not allowed,” Wasson said. “We will conform to all the guidelines, but also understand that families need activities they can do with their children.”
The city is currently soliciting donations for candy, prizes and supplies, and asking Trunk or Treat participants to bring enough candy for the estimated 600 youth expected to show up.
Prizes are still being worked out for the contest categories within the trunk decoration competition itself. So far, Wasson said plans are in place for first, second and third in trunks and a best costume prize.
Beyond prizes, the candy is needed for the child participants.
“Most likely, we will be pre-filling bags for the children to minimize contact,” Wasson said. “We will all be wearing gloves and masks. This is different than in past years, in that each vehicle gave out candy.”
To help get inspired, Wasson said there are many ideas online, especially on Pinterest, in how to decorate a car in the Halloween spirit that are perfect for a trunk-or-treat contest.
“We encourage everyone to be creative,” Wasson said. “Some people have done a movie theme, or just put up Halloween décor. The kids will love each and every one of the trunks.”
