Sweet Return
'Clearly, the event was a hit!" – HCC 'Trunk or Treat' organizer Sheila Gould
Neighborhood children got more than their fill of sweet treats at Holyoke Community College on Friday, Oct. 29. The college's annual pre-Halloween 'Trunk or Treat" event gave them an abundance of eye candy as well.
Nearly 40 HCC clubs, departments, programs, area businesses and community groups participated, decorating vehicles with Halloween-themed displays featuring pirates, monsters, Muppets, super heroes, Charlie Brown, bats, zombies, ghosts, creepy veterinarians, Star Wars characters, Super Mario Brothers, Little Shop of Horrors, The Sandlot, Harry Potter, Curious George, mummies, clowns and more.
Organizers estimated that some 2,000 to 3,000 children – plus their parents – attended the two-hour celebration, which was organized by the HCC Education Department and Student Activities.
"Clearly, the event was a hit!" said Sheila Gould, program director of HCC's Early Childhood Education program. "We were thrilled to be able to offer this popular community event again after missing last year."
HCC started "Trunk or Treat" in 2017 as a safe, fun, and early alternative to traditional trick-or-treating on Halloween night. The 2020 event was cancelled because of COVID-19.
Outside of HCC programs, clubs and departments, vehicle sponsors included Holyoke Chicks with Sticks, Dean Technical High School, Farmasi by Brittany, Center School/Positive Regard Network, the Teachers' Lounge @ Elms College, Holyoke Public Schools Early Childhood program, the Valley Opportunity, the Holyoke YMCA, CHD/Mental Health Services, YWCA of Western Mass., Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield Head Start, Brianna Santucci and Co., the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Mass., Little Ladies and Mom, the Holyoke Police Department, the Holyoke Fire Department, Suri Ramos at Real Living, Jan's Flower Shop, Holyoke Dept. of Children and Family Services, the Provencal family, and the Peraltas.
Awards were given out to the best vehicle displays:People's Choice: Jan's Flowers -(Little Shop of Horrors); EEEW Award: Dean Technical High School (Creepy Careers); Most Interactive: The Center School -(Sesame Street); Scariest Trunk: HCC Veterinary & Animal Science Dept. (Creepy Vet Visit); Most Original : HCC Education Department (Camping); Best Costumes : Farmasi by Brittany (Movie Theater); Best Executed Theme: HCC Admissions (Pirates of the Caribbean); Best Treats: HCC Anime Club (Pirates).
See more photos in our Facebook photo album ...
PHOTOS by CHRIS YURKO: (Above) The HCC Veterinary & Animal Science Dept. won the award for Scariest Trunk with their vehicle theme Creepy Vet Visit. (Thumbnail) A young girl dressed as a bumble bee claims some candy.
