Costumed children and their parents braved the rain this weekend as they gathered in the Hampshire Park District parking lot, 390 South Avenue, to visit the 14 decorated vehicles awaiting them for the annual Trunk or Treat Fest.
“This marks the fifth year we have held Trunk or Treat,” said Stephanie Barone, the district’s program supervisor. “It’s a family friendly event that was sponsored this year by the district, Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library District, and Heartland Bank & Trust.”
Participants huddled under umbrellas while they walked from one vehicle to the next for treats. The vehicles belonged to both area residents and local businesses.
Karen Tindle, who also came to last year’s Trunk or Treat, is a consultant with USBORNE Books & More. The books she displayed in her trunk on Friday are for children from birth to high school.
“I think Trunk or Treat is a great idea,” Tindle said.
Heather Hilleshiem, financial advisor for Edward Jones, also attended last year’s Trunk or Treat.
“This keeps kids in one central area and makes trick or treating safer,” Hilleshiem said. “The Hampshire park district does a great job with this event.”
Hampshire sisters Melissa and Hailee Dietze, who are both Hampshire High School students, volunteered to help out at the event. They have been attending Hampshire Park District events since they were preschoolers.
Hampshire mom Amy Bishop brought her three children to Trunk or Treat. Skyden, 12, wore a barbarian costume. His sister Eleanor, 4, appeared as Goldilocks and their baby sister Sterling, 1, was the frog princess.
“This was our first year at Trunk or Treat,” Amy said. “It’s too bad about the rain, but it’s still really fun.”
There were other events planned after “trunk or treating” that took place despite the rain.
Mr. D’s Magic and Illusion Show was held under the pavilion in Ralph Seyller Memorial Park. According to his website, Mr. D, or Dirk Spence, has been a magician for 25 years. He is known for his traveling house of magic, a 1945 Chevy truck that is equipped with a stage, lights and sounds.
Mr. D said that he performed Friday night at Seyller Park before an audience of around 150 area residents.
“The magic show and the egg hunt went on as planned for the brave souls who stuck out the weather,” said Dawn Cummins, youth services manager at the library district. “Even though it was raining, people made s’mores and warmed up by the bonfire before and during the magic show.”
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
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