Pine Grove plans fourth Trunk or Treat

"Last year was fabulous," said Jaiden Brandt, associate pastor of ministries with Pine Grove Church, of the 2023 Trunk or Treat held at the church, 1194 Reading Road, Bowmansville. "We had 750 to 800 people (again), and it went extremely well."

This year's fourth annual Trunk or Treat will also be held at the church. The event, which is slated for Saturday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m., will involve more than 20 vehicles with decorated trunks lined up in the parking lot. Attendees are welcome to wear costumes to the Trunk or Treat. The rain date will be Sunday, Oct. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the same location.

The free event will begin with registration. Attendees will receive a gift and instructions for the evening before visiting the themed trunks. Among the trunk decoration themes will be New York City, rubber ducks, football, racing, Fruits of the Spirit, and science lab. A "Wonka"-themed trunk and a trunk based on the movie "Frozen" are also planned. Brandt described a farm-themed truck with a real pony and live chickens.

New this year will be Marian and Friends, a ventriloquist who will do 10-minute shows in the church great room throughout the evening.

Yard games, including sack races and a balloon game, will be set up, and hayrides and a barrel train will be available for attendees to enjoy.

Free food items for visitors to munch on will include hot dogs, nachos, apples, and popcorn. Brandt noted that since plenty of candy is handed out as visitors view the trunks, dessert is not offered.

This year, the church is also using the event to contribute to a local ministry. "We are doing a food drive for the CrossNet (Food and Nutrition Center)," said Brandt. "It's not required, but we are encouraging people to bring a nonperishable food item." Brandt said that all the collected food items will be donated to CrossNet in the days following the Trunk or Treat.

According to Brandt, about 150 Pine Grove volunteers help plan and hold the all-inclusive event. "We are excited to do it again to serve the community," said Brandt, who added that meeting area neighbors is a goal of the evening. "That's the reason we do it," he said. "(We want) to be a presence and a safe environment for family and kids. We want to be out there."

Readers who would like more information or to register ahead of the event may visit http://www.pinegrovechurch.us or call the church office at 717-445-5136.