Children will have plenty of opportunities in Jefferson County, Eureka and Wildwood to show off their Halloween costumes and collect candy.
Numerous organizations and businesses will hold free trunk-or-treat events throughout October, each one offering children a one-stop chance to trick-or-treat and take part in other fun activities.
Arnold chamber
The Arnold Chamber of Commerce will hold a Trunk or Treat from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, in the Fox Elementary School parking lot, 739 Jeffco Blvd.
Admission to the event is free, but the Gateway Food Pantry, formerly the Arnold Food Pantry, will accept donations of nonperishable food items to benefit the pantry. Compass Health Network is co-sponsoring the event and is expected to have its mobile dental unit there.
“It is one of my favorite events, and I feel like everyone really enjoys themselves,” chamber executive director Stephanie Engle said. “It is a great opportunity for businesses to get in front of hundreds of people. It is definitely an important event for our chamber members.”
At the event, chamber members and representatives from other area businesses and organizations will decorate their vehicles or reserved spaces and hand out treats to children.
A trophy will be awarded to the best-decorated space.
“I will poll the kids as they leave, so it is actually a kids’ choice award,” Engle said.
A DJ will play music near the parking lot exit, and personnel from the Arnold Police Department, Rock Community Fire Protection District and Rock Township Ambulance District are scheduled to be on hand.
Those who want to reserve a trunk-or-treat spot may contact the chamber at 636-296-1910 or by email at director@arnoldchamber.org.
Central Baptist Church
The Central Baptist Church, 601 N. Central Ave., in Eureka will hold its free Trick or Treat Fall Carnival from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, inside the church’s gymnasium.
Pastor Dennis Gard said there will be up to 30 booths with people handing out candy and offering the chance to play carnival games in the gym and throughout the church.
“Just like at a carnival, the more you win, the bigger the prize,” Gard said.
There also will be a bounce house, and gourmet popcorn with different toppings will be available during the event.
Gard said “anyone and everyone” is invited and participants are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes.
For information, call 636-938-5577.
First Baptist Church of Arnold
The First Baptist Church of Arnold, 2012 Missouri State Road, will hold its free trunk-or-treat event from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, on parking lot H.
“This is one of our biggest events that we do each year,” said Amber Hempen, the church’s communications director.
“It is a lot of fun with a lot of energy, fun costumes and a fun family time,” she said.
Along with trunk-or-treat activities, the event will include circus performers and a petting zoo.
“Kids love animals and love being able to interact with them,” Hempen said.
Food vendors also will be at the event.
If there is inclement weather, the church will move the event inside, Hempen said.
“We are very blessed to have a building that we can do that,” she said.
For more information, go to fbcarnold.org or call 636-296-7729.
Herculaneum Amvets
The Herculaneum Amvets Chapter 42 Riders will hold a trunk-or-treat food drive and movie night at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at 555 Joachim Ave.
Admission to the event is free, but canned goods or personal hygiene items for their “Forces for Food” veterans food drive are requested.
Amvets Post employee Jani Rogers said the event will feature free candy for trick-or-treaters and free face painting. Popcorn, hot dogs, chili dogs and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
Rogers said the movie “Monster House” will start at 7 p.m. in the club hall. The clubroom will be open to the public.
For information, call the Herculaneum Amvets at 636-479-4040.
Herculaneum Fire Department
The Herculaneum Fire Department will hold its annual trunk-or-treat safety event from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the William C. Haggard City Park, 776 Joachim Ave.
The fire department will hand out candy, fire prevention items and glow sticks. A bonfire will be included in the free event.
“We’re thrilled to continue this tradition and provide a safe space for our community to enjoy Halloween,” Herculaneum Fire Capt. Scott Grupa said.
He said the event not only offers a safe trick-or-treating experience, but also can be a reminder of the importance of fire safety.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to engage with residents, promote fire safety and ensure everyone has a fun and memorable night,” he said.
Hillsboro chamber
The Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce will hold its first Halloween Parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, starting at Hillsboro R-3 Intermediate School, 10478 Business 21. After the parade, a Community Boo at the Barn event will be held at Bridle Ridge Acres, 200 Bridle Ridge Lane, in Hillsboro.
It’s free to enter the parade, but space is limited. Parade participants line up behind the school at 5 p.m.
The parade will leave the school and head south on Hwy. 21 before turning left on Main Street near City Hall and then left onto Vreeland Road, ending at the school.
The Community Boo at the Barn event will include a trunk-or-treat with prizes for the best decorated trunk, spooky barn walk, haunted trail, bonfire, music, food, costume contest, pumpkin decorating and live animals.
The event is free to attend, but donations will be accepted for the Hillsboro Agricultural Department.
For information or to participate in the parade, call 636-481-6718, email hillsborochamberoffice@gmail.com or visit the hillsborochamberofcommerce.com.
Jeffco Shop With a Cop
Jeffco Shop With a Cop, a charitable organization made up of emergency response agencies who raise funds to provide children in need with Christmas gifts will hold a trunk-or-treat fundraising event from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Hillsboro Community Civic Club playground on the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro.
Youngsters will receive free candy, and donations will be accepted for the Shop With a Cop program, said Hillsboro Police Sgt. Jessica Griffaw, the Shop With a Cop organization’s president.
“First responders will dress in costumes. There’s a circus theme this year,” Griffaw said. “They also decorate their vehicles. People pay $1 per vote to vote on their favorites. The winning agency gets a plaque.”
For more information, call either Hillsboro Police at 636-797-5229 or Festus Police at 636-937-3646.
Jefferson College
Jefferson College organizations will team to put on the annual Community Trunk-or-Treat event from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at the blue parking lot on the Hillsboro campus, 1000 Viking Drive.
The free event is for children 12 and younger and their families will offer the youngsters candy, games and prizes. Food trucks will sell food and refreshments.
For more information, go to jeffco.edu or the Jefferson College Go Jeffco page on Facebook.
Jefferson County 911
Jefferson County 911 Dispatch’s annual trunk-or-treat event will be held from 6-8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, in the upper parking lot at Northwest High School, 6005 Cedar Hill Road, in Cedar Hill.
Representatives from local fire and ambulance districts and police departments will be at the event, and some of the agencies will have emergency response vehicles on display.
Food trucks will be on hand.
For information, call 636-797-9797.
Living Word United Methodist
The Living Word United Methodist Church, 17315 Manchester Road, in Wildwood will hold an indoor community trunk-or-treat event from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. Those in attendance are encouraged to wear their favorite family-friendly costume.
Area organizations, groups, businesses and members of the community are invited to decorated a table, hand out candy and volunteer.
For information, contact Beth Balzraine at bbalzraine@livingwordumc.org or call 636-821-2800.
Realty Executives Premiere
Realty Executives Premiere will hold its 11th annual trunk-or-treat event from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, near its office at 113 Hilltop Village Center Drive in Eureka.
Organizer Kim Maher said more than 50 businesses and organizations have reserved spots to hand out candy or offer games for a chance to win prizes.
“Everything is free,” Maher said. “We have Culver’s coming and giving out free custards. We’re giving out free hot dogs, soda and water to everybody.”
She said hayrides will take visitors around the shopping plaza parking lot, and Eureka Music will play Halloween-themed tunes during the event.
Attendees will have the chance to play plinko, spin the wheel and bean bag toss games will be set up at the event.
“There are a lot of different little things to do besides just walking through and getting candy,” she said. “It’s a great, safe, daytime, family fun event.”
For more information, call 636-777-2800.
Twin City Little League
The Twin City Little League will hold its fifth annual trunk-or-treat event from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at its complex, 155 Little League Drive, in Crystal City.
Free candy will be given out, and a kid’s costume contest for those 13 and younger will be held.
A best trunk contest will be included.
No smoking or pets allowed. Service animals are welcome.
Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce
The annual Trick or Treat Spooktacular, previously known as The Great Pumpkin Festival, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 26, on Main Street in Festus and Bailey Road in Crystal City.
The road will be closed to traffic during the event, which will have costumed youngsters trick-or-treat at area businesses and organizations.
“Many Main Street and Bailey Road businesses participate by giving out candy,” said Mary Zebrowski, the chamber’s executive director. “Some businesses that do not have a store on Main or Bailey come to set up a tent or booth to give out candy.”
The treat distribution is free, as is a costume contest, which will be held in front of the Cobblestone Art & Frame shop, 109 Main St. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in different age categories. The contest schedule follows.
■ 9:30 a.m. – Family costume contest.
■ 10 a.m. – Newborns to age 3.
■ 10:30 a.m. – Children ages 4-6.
■ 11 a.m. – Children ages 7-10.
■ 11:30 a.m. – Contest for costumed dogs, which must be leashed, sponsored by Barks N Bubbles Dog Grooming in Festus.
Zebrowski said new this year will be a haunted house at the Main Key Realty building, 114 E. Main St.
“Cub Scout Pack 405 (based at Jefferson R-7 Schools) will have the haunted house as a fundraiser,” she said. “It runs the same time as the Trick or Treat Spooktacular, 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $5. It’s a Cub Scout event, Main Key is letting them use their building.”
Spooky music and inflatable characters also will be part of the event.
“We also have cotton candy from Autumn Ridge (retirement community),” Zebrowski said.
For information, go to the chamber website at twincitychamber.com.