Trunk or Treat this Sunday in Roodhouse
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By Carmen Ensinger
The Trunk or Treat in Roodhouse is one event that dads really don’t mind taking their sons and daughter’s to. Why, you ask?
Because the event is jointly sponsored by the Roodhouse Police Department and the White Hall Drag-O-Way and the majority of the cars handing out candy are vintage cars. So, while the kids are busy collecting candy, the dad’s get to check out all the really cool cars on display. It’s a win-win for everyone.
This year’s event will be held on Sunday night, Halloween, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. around the Roodhouse Square. Last year, because of Covid, the event was moved to Palm St. to allow for a greater distance between cars, but, thankfully, this year it is back where it should be – around the square.
“We had debated back and forth this year about having it on Palm St. again or moving it back to the Square,” Roodhouse Police Chief Kyle Robison said. “Personally, I liked having it down Palm St., but I was overruled by the majority of the people who liked having it around the square so that is ultimately what we went with this year.”
Robison said he talked to the members of the car club and they were in favor of moving it back to the Square as well. He admits, it does make more sense to have it there for a variety of reasons.
“Logistically, it is just a lot easier to control the flow of traffic because you can just block off the square,” he said. “Having it down Palm St. you had all the side streets to deal with. Plus, there is better lighting up around the square. So, there are definitely some perks to having it up there.”
There will be more than just the Drag-O-Way car club members around the square with decorated trunks handing out candy.
“We invite anyone to participate,” Robison said. “So you don’t have to be affiliated with any organization to participate. If you want to just decorate your trunk and come up and hand out candy, you are more than welcome. Or, if you are a member of a church group, organization or a business and want to be represented, come on up. We encourage anyone to join in because we are going to have plenty of room.”
After the kiddos have gone around and collected candy, the action will move to the center of the square where there will be plenty of free food for everyone.
“The Lighthouse Outreach Center will be doing s’mores and hot dogs and having a campfire type theme going on,” Robison said. “Then the Roodhouse First Baptist Church will be handing out hot chocolate and cookies.”
If the weather is good, the Roodhouse Public Library will be showing a movie on the Police Department’s big blowup screen. You can’t have a movie without popcorn, so there will be plenty of free popcorn to go along with the movie.
Robison was asked what his contingency plans were in case of bad weather.
“My contingency plan is to simply pray for good weather,” he said. “We really don’t have a backup plan. Two years ago, on the day of the event because we had snow and ice, we moved the entire event inside to Garner’s, but that was when they were still in business. I think they would still be available to use, but I haven’t talked to Dixie Garner about it this year. She has always been great to us though.”
For those with a competitive spirit, Joe Buchanan has designed a special award for the winner of the Best Trunk Display.
Roodhouse will have regular trick or treating on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30 and 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. which will coincide with the Trunk or Treat. But, let’s face it, why go door to door when kids can collect enough candy to put them in a sugar coma for six months just walking around the square.
“I just think that Trunk or Treat is a much safer way for the kids to experience trick or treating,” Robison said. “Parents are with their children the entire time and not just turning them loose to run up and down the street. And, to be honest, I think people need to interact with people and this gives the parents an opportunity to interact with other people in a good way.”
