There will be no shortage of opportunities for children to show off their Halloween costumes and collect candy in Jefferson County and Eureka.
Numerous organizations and businesses will hold free trunk-or-treat events throughout October, each one offering children a one-stop chance to collect candy and take part in other fun activities.
Jefferson College
The college event, for children 12 and younger, is set for 5:30-8 p.m. at the Blue lot on the Hillsboro campus, 1000 Viking Drive.
This family-friendly event will feature trick-or-treating from college-approved trunks, along with games and prizes.
Children will also get to see special animal guests from Wildlife Command Center.
Local food vendors will be on hand, including Dynasty Manna, Hawaiian Grill, Hog Call BBQ and Messy Bettie’s. In addition, Henna by Rani Henna (Megan Horch) will be at the event.
For questions, call 636-481-3231 or contact Brandi Gallaway at bgallawa@jeffco.edu.
911/Jeffco Shop with a Cop
Jefferson County 911 Dispatch and Jeffco Shop With a Cop, a charitable organization made up of emergency response agencies that raise funds to provide children in need with Christmas gifts, will co-host a trunk-or-treat fundraising event from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Northwest High School, 6005 Cedar Hill Road, in Cedar Hill.
Representatives from local fire and ambulance districts and police departments will be on hand during the event, and many of those agencies will have vehicles or other apparatus on display.
Food trucks will also be stationed in the parking lot, including Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee and Cosmic Donuts, according to a recent Jefferson County 911 Facebook post.
During the event, donations of nonperishable food items will be accepted for Brenden’s Backpack program to support families in need.
For more information, call Jefferson County 911’s non-emergency line at 636-797-9797 or the Hillsboro Police Department’s non-emergency line at 636-797-5229.
The River at Eureka
The River at Eureka Church will hold a trunk or treat and fall festival from 6-8 p.m. Friday in the church’s parking lot, 215 N. Central Avenue, in Eureka.
The event is free to attend and includes games, crafts, snow cones, popcorn, hot dogs, a s’mores-making station and a Halloween-themed outdoor movie.
For information, email Jenny Babb at jenny.babb@the-river.church.
Realty Executives Premiere
The Eureka Realty Executives Premiere group will hold its 12th annual trunk-or-treat event from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at 113 Hilltop Village Drive, in Eureka.
Realty agent and organizer Kim Maher said the group will give away free hot dogs, water and soda. There also will be hayrides, and Culver’s will hand out free custard ice cream.
She said about 50 local businesses and organizations will hand out candy and provide 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 and 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.”
For information, call Realty Executives Premiere at 636-777-2800.
St. Martin’s United Church of Christ, High Ridge
The St. Martin United Church of Christ, 3229 High Ridge Blvd., in High Ridge will hold a trunk-or-treat event from 4-6 p.m. Sunday.
Donna Goede, the church’s youth minister, said this is the first year the church is holding the trunk or treat inside and outside the building. The trunk-or-treat will be held on the church’s parking lot, and carnival games, snacks and refreshments will be set up inside.
“We have this philosophy that people should be comfortable and not intimated by the church,” she said.
Goede also said nearly 100 people have attended the event in the past.
For information, call 636-677-5602.
High Ridge Elks Lodge
The High Ridge Elks Lodge No. 2455, 2808 High Ridge Blvd., will hold a trunk-or-treat event from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.
Jamie Robinson, the High Ridge Elks Lodge secretary, public relations and marketing manager, said the event is free to attend.
“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.”
Robinson said kids will be served free hot dogs. There also will be a haunted house on site, in collaboration with Girl Scouts from the Northwest School District.
Robinson said more than 100 children attended last year’s event.
“It seems to grow little by little every year,” Robinson said.
For information, call 636-677-3557.
Coming up
A list of some of the trunk-or-treat events in Jefferson County and Eureka
Friday
Jefferson College
Time: 5:30-8 p.m.
Location: Hillsboro campus’ Blue Lot, 1000 Viking Drive
The River at Eureka Fall Festival
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: The River at Eureka Church, 215 N. Central Ave., Eureka
Jefferson County 911/Jeffco Shop With a Cop
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Northwest High School, 6005 Cedar Hill Road, Cedar Hill
Sunday
St. Martin’s United Church of Christ
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: St. Martin United Church of Christ, 3229 High Ridge Blvd., High Ridge
Oct. 25
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.
Arnold Chamber of Commerce
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Fox Elementary School, 739 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold
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.