Are you ready for some candy?
Youngsters of all ages made their way into the roped-off area of the Winn-Dixie parking lot Sunday night dressed in costumes to participate in the Pine Island Community Church Trunk or Treat event.
Shortly after 4 p.m., owners of cars, trucks, vans and a golf cart began decorating the back of their vehicles in a variety of Halloween-inspired themes, which all incorporated a candy container of some sort for the youngsters. The event ran from 5-7 p.m.
“I think it’s great,” the Rev. Heidi Grueser of Pine Island Community Church said about the 5th Annual Trunk or Treat event.
She said they had more kids this year than last year and the year before, which she was excited to see.
Many of the individuals who decorated their trunks had to buy more candy during the event because of the amount of kids who attended.
“It’s just a reason for them to come out and get candy,” Grueser said of the event.
She said Saturday and Sunday offered a fun packed weekend for the kids to collect candy and Halloween was still a couple days away.
Sheila Miller and her husband, Roger, participated in the event Sunday by decorating their trunk.
She said she enjoys the event because it is a safe place for the kids to trick or treat on the island.
“This is lovely,” Sheila said as she admired all the youngsters in costume as they stopped by for some candy.
Roger said he also likes the event because he lives on a street without sidewalks.
Every year the couple tries to change the decorations of their vehicle for the kids.
Joy Ziss, who had the back of her pick-up truck decorated, has participated in the event since its inception.
“I love it,” she said of the Trunk or Treat event. “I just adore it. It’s such a great event.”
Her favorite part of the event is talking to every child and asking his or her name and what they are dressed up as.
Ziss said she hopes the event keeps going.
Many parents, who also dressed in costume, accompanied their kids from vehicle to vehicle Sunday.
Kari Frazier brought her children to the event, which she has attended for the past three years.
“We love it,” she said. “It’s good for the kids.”
Denise Reppa also brought her 2-year-old son Brendon to the event, which she has attended since it began.
“I think it’s awesome,” she said.
Reppa said she has lived on the island for 30 years and she has only had 20 trick or treaters in that time period come to her house on Halloween.
“I think this is great for the kids,” she said. “I’m really grateful they do that for the children.”