Jefferson College held a trunk or treat last weekend, but area children still have plenty of opportunities to show off their Halloween costumes and collect candy in Jefferson County and Eureka.
Numerous organizations and businesses will continue to hold free trunk-or-treat events throughout October, each one offering children a one-stop place to get some candy and take part in other fun activities.
About 1,800 people attended the 2025 Jefferson College Community Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 17 on the Hillsboro campus, organizers said.
The free community event invited families to bring their young ones to receive treats from various campus and community organizations.
“It was our second-largest attendance,” said Brandi Gallaway, an event organizer. “Last year, we had 2,200. We’ve had the Trunk or Treat since 2019, although the college held a similar inside event before that.”
Gallaway, the college’s student development coordinator, said 23 vehicles were parked at the event giving out treats. The Student Development Department and the Community Engagement and Outreach Committee spearhead the trunk or treat, she said.
“We had student clubs and organizations and a few approved community groups,” she said.
Gallaway said the event is geared toward children up to age 12, although that guideline has to do with the tone of the evening rather than an age limit.
“We don’t do anything scary,” she said. “The trunks are decorated with younger kids in mind.”
The event also offered free games, such as ring toss and balloon toss. In addition, a number of food trucks were on hand selling their wares, she said.
Gallaway said the Wildlife Command Center returned with a variety of animals.
“They brought owls, snakes and small alligators,” she said. “They also brought a baby kangaroo.”
Scout Troop 406 helped with parking, and the Hillsboro R-3 School District provided a shuttle bus to transport attendees around the campus for the event.
“It’s very nice of (the Hillsboro school district) to lend the bus and bus driver and not charge,” Gallaway said. “We appreciate the Boy Scout troop helping with parking.”
She said the Trunk or Treat is a way for the college to connect with the community.
“It’s our largest community outreach event of the year,” Gallaway said. “We love it.”
Upcoming events
The following is a list of other trunk-or-treat events or other Halloween-related activities to be held in the area:
Riverbend Bookstore
The Crystal City Public Library will partner with Riverbend Bookstore for its first “Spooktackular,” which will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at Riverbend Bookstore, 521 N. Truman Blvd., in Crystal City.
Amy Shirley, Crystal City Public Library director, said the event will include activities both inside and outside the store. In the parking lot, there will be a trunk or treat with the Crystal City Police, Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District and others. The BrunchBox food truck will be on hand.
Inside the store, a spooky story time will be held in the children’s reading corner. Various games and a pumpkin-decorating contest with supplies included will be held, too.
“We want to have a safe, fun event for the community to come and have some treats and make some crafts,” Shirley said.
She said Riverbend Bookstore will also collect donations to benefit the Crystal City Public Library.
Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce
The annual Trick or Treat Spooktacular, this year called the Hot Rod Spooktacular, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday on Main Street in Festus and Bailey Road in Crystal City.
The road will be closed to traffic during the event, and costumed youngsters will trick-or-treat at Main Street and Bailey Road businesses and organizations. Many other businesses that do not have a storefront in the area will set up tents or booths to give out candy. Spooky music and inflatable characters will also be part of the spooktacular.
In addition to the main event, eight businesses in the 300 block of Bailey Road in Crystal City will hand out candy.
The event also will feature a free costume contest 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 family costume contest will be at 9:30 a.m., followed by the contest for children 3 and younger at 10 a.m., the contest for children aged 4-6 at 10:30 a.m. and the contest for children aged 7-10 at 11 a.m.
Mary Zebrowski, the chamber’s executive director, said this year the event will also feature Relaxed Atmosphere Car Club members, who will bring trucks and cars for a trunk-or-treat event. The group will also collect donations for the Ozark Food Pantry.
For the second year, Cub Scout Pack 405 will hold a haunted house fundraiser from 9 a.m. to noon in the Main Key Realty building at 114 E. Main St. The cost for entry into the haunted house is $5 per participant.
Zebrowski said the popular community event typically draws about 1,000 children.
“It’s a great tradition here in the community that we’re able to sponsor, and it’s just really fun to see all the creativity,” she said.
For information, go to the chamber website at twincitychamber.com or call 636-931-7697.
Trick or Treat on De Soto Main Street
De Soto Main Street Trick or Treat will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, when businesses along Main Street will hand out goodies to children.
“Trick or Treat Main Street is a long-standing, safe, family-friendly Halloween tradition in De Soto where kids can show off their costumes and collect goodies from local businesses all along Main Street,” said Sarah Greenlee, office coordinator for the De Soto Chamber of Commerce. “Shops will be handing out candy, but families may also pop inside to browse, make purchases, grab a bite to eat and discover what our local merchants have to offer.
“It’s a fun way to celebrate Halloween, support small businesses and create memories together.”
She said the city of De Soto allows trick-or-treating from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
Twin City Little League
The Twin City Little League will hold its sixth annual trunk-or-treat event from 6-8 p.m. Saturday 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 for the most creative trunk decor will also take place.
No smoking or pets allowed. Service animals are welcome.
Herculaneum Fire Department
The Herculaneum Fire Department will hold its annual trunk-or-treat safety event from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, 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.
Chris Baker, president of the Jefferson County Firefighters Association and Herculaneum Ward 2 Alderman, said the trunk or treat is a great place to start the evening and grab some glow sticks so children are more visible when they go door to door trick-or-treating.
“We like everybody to come down and grab the glow sticks so you can identify yourself as a trick-or-treater while traveling the dark streets of Herculaneum,” he said.
Baker said the event not only offers a safe trick-or-treating experience, but also is a reminder of the importance of fire safety.
“We’re going to have the trucks down there so people can show up and we can take them through the firetrucks or an ambulance,” Baker said. “As people walk around and ask questions, we’ll teach them about fire safety. We’ll have all of our pamphlets and stuff that we usually hand out for fire prevention.”
High Ridge Elks Lodge
High Ridge Elks Lodge 2455, 2808 High Ridge Blvd., will hold a trunk-or-treat event from 6-8 p.m. Saturday.
The event is free to attend, said Jamie Robinson, the High Ridge Elks Lodge secretary and public relations and marketing manager.
“We’d love to have as many people as possible,” she said. “This is a big event we like to put on for the community.”
Before the event kicks off and the candy starts flowing, free hot dogs will be served. A haunted house will be set up on site, in collaboration with Girl Scouts from the Northwest R-1 School District.
“It won’t be super scary,” Robinson said.
She said more than 100 children attended last year’s event.
“It seems to grow little by little every year,” she added.
For information, call 636-677-3557.
Realty Executives Premiere
The Eureka Realty Executives Premiere group will hold its 12th annual trunk-or-treat event from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday at 113 Hilltop Village Drive, in Eureka.
Realty agent and organizer Kim Maher said the event will include hayrides. The company also will give away free hot dogs, water, and soda, and Culver’s will hand out free custard.
She said about 50 local businesses and organizations will hand out candy and offer small games for children to play.
“It’s always hard to estimate, but last year we had more than 2,000 people, and, absolutely, this year we’re hoping for more people to come out,” Maher said. “It’s a completely free, family-friendly, safe event.”
Maher said the event would only be canceled in the event of extreme stormy weather.
“In the past, we’ve had it in 85-degree weather; we’ve had it when it’s overcast and chilly,” she said. “Our favorite kind of weather is dry and sunny.”
To learn more, call Realty Executives Premiere at 636-777-2800.
St. Martin’s United Church of Christ
The St. Martin’s United Church of Christ, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Road, in Dittmer will hold its trunk-or-treat event from 5-7 p.m. Saturday.
Participants will receive free hot dogs.
For information, call 636-285-4797.
Arnold chamber
The Arnold Chamber of Commerce will hold a trunk or treat and food drive from 6-8 p.m. Friday, in the Fox Elementary School parking lot, 739 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold.
The event is free, but the chamber will collect nonperishable food items and monetary donations for the Gateway Food Pantry, formerly the Arnold Food Pantry.
“This year, we have really focused on the importance of giving back to the community, and the importance of the need that the Gateway Food Pantry has this year,” said Courtney Sokolis, chamber executive director. “We want to make sure everyone knows this also is a food drive, and the food pantries are in need, not just here in Arnold but everywhere. I think showing that support makes this event so much more important.”
Numerous businesses and organizations are expected to participate in the trunk or treat, she said.
Last year, approximately 2,000 children attended the trunk or treat, and 31 businesses and organizations participated, Sokolis said.
“I think the community really looks forward to (the event),” she said. “I love seeing all the costumes, and the kids have a good time. Seeing their smiling faces makes this worth it.”
A trophy will be awarded to the best-decorated space, which the children and their family members vote on. The Kramer, Buchholz and Partney law firm, which has offices in Arnold, Hillsboro and Ste. Genevieve, won the prize last year.
“We will take the votes at the chamber booth because we are the last booth,” Sokolis said. “We like leaving it in the hands of the participants. I think leaving it in the hands of the kids and families is the most fair way to do it.”
In addition, a DJ will play music near the parking lot exit, and representatives from the Arnold Police Department, Rock Community Fire Protection District and Rock Township Ambulance District are scheduled to be at the event.
Sokolis said 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.
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.
The event traditionally has up to 30 spots reserved by the church’s organizations, groups and members to hand out treats to children.
The church will move the event inside if there is inclement weather.
For more information, go to fbcarnold.org or call 636-296-7729.
Coming up
Some trunk-or-treat events to be held in Jefferson County and Eureka.
Friday
Arnold Chamber of Commerce
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Fox Elementary School, 739 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold
Riverbend Bookstore
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Riverbend Bookstore, 521 N. Truman Blvd., Crystal City
Saturday
Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Main Street in Festus and Bailey Road in Crystal City
Trick or Treat on De Soto Main Street
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Main Street, De Soto
Realty Executives Premiere
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: 113 Hilltop Village Drive, Eureka.
St. Martin’s United Church of Christ
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: St. Martin’s United Church of Christ, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Road, Dittmer
Twin City Little League
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Twin City Little League complex, 155 Little League Drive, Crystal City
High Ridge Elks Lodge
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: High Ridge Elks Lodge 2455, 2808 High Ridge Blvd.
Sunday
First Baptist Church of Arnold
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Location: First Baptist Church of Arnold, 2012 Missouri State Road
Oct. 31
Herculaneum Fire Department
Time: 5:30-8 p.m.
Location: William C. Haggard City Park, 776 Joachim Ave., Herculaneum