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Enjoy Halloween Decor, Treats, & Fun at Our "Trunk or Treat"

10-18-2017

For a fun, safe, sweet-filled Halloween experience, look no further than Trunk or Treat in downtown Bloomfield. Scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21 from noon to 3 p.m., Trunk or Treat is a free event where people park their vehicles and open their Halloween-themed decorated trunks -- containing candy and other goodies -- for trick-or-treaters and onlookers alike. The event will be located in the Farrand Street parking lot adjacent to the Bloomfield Train Station, which is located on Lackawanna Plaza between Washington Street and Glenwood Avenue. The BCA encourages any and everyone who wants to partake to join in on the fun and register their car. Those interested in registering their vehicles to participate in the Trunk or Treat do not have to be Bloomfield residents. Additionally, those who are registering their vehicles do not need to have children to participate. If you love to decorate for Halloween and get dressed up, Trunk or Treat is not just for those with families. Apicella said that area businesses are encouraged to register their company vehicle for the Trunk or Treat, decorate their trunks, and hand out treats and business coupons to spectators to gain some exposure for their business and network with members of the community. Everyone, young and old, is welcome to come dressed in Halloween costumes as part of the spooky-fun. Onlookers will amble through the parking lot, trick-or-treating from car to car and delighting in the decorations. This environment is controlled and a safe place for children to trick-or treat -- but parents and other adults can get some treats from the trunks as well. With more than 700 spectators last year, Jackie Apicella, the event coordinator of the Trunk or Treat, asks that participants bring a multitude of treats, including wrapped candy and even toys or novelty items to distribute. "Last year, it was such a rousing success we decided to add it to our roster of events going forward," Ollyn Lettman, executive director of the BCA, said. "This is definitely geared as a family-oriented event so hopefully a lot of little kids will want to not only get dressed up if they choose to and go get some candy, but also go see some cars. So, the parents see this as an opportunity to do some trick or treating but also to admire some cool, creatively dressed up vehicle trunks." The trunks can either be decorated in a traditional Halloween theme or in a costume-like ensemble. For example, last year some participants decorated their trunk as a pirate ship, Legos, and the game Candy Land, Apicella said. At the end of the event, awards for the top three "best-dressed" trunks will be distributed. In keeping with the BCA's mission of supporting Bloomfield Center, the awards will be gift cards to local businesses. "We always try to encourage folks to come back to Bloomfield Center and patronize their downtown area," Lettman said. Jack's Super Foodtown, a sponsor of the event, will be on site sharing donuts and apple cider, as well as offering face painting, and the BCA will also have a table at the event where it will be doling out candy, balloons, and information about everything within Bloomfield Center. Additional support and participation will come from the following local businesses and organizations: Bloomfield Fire Department, Aaron's, Crossfit Press On, Heavenly Flavors, Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, and Kings Court. This event complements one being done later in the day by the Bloomfield Recreation Commission, who will be hosting a Halloween Spooktacular event, also on Oct. 21, starting at 4 p.m. This event will include a magic show, a costume contest, and a screening of It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown at the Town Green, a local park located just four blocks from the Trunk or Treat. If you're looking for a little more Halloween entertainment, there will be "Halloween Under the Stars" event on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. on Washington Street where there will be a DJ, costume party, prizes, and outdoor dining. If you are interested in registering your vehicle to participate in Trunk or Treat, email events@bloomfieldcenter.com or call the BCA at (973) 429-8050. Vehicle registration is open until Friday, Oct. 20. The rain date for Trunk or Treat is Saturday, Oct. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. This article was written by Katrina Rossos and originally posted on NJ.com.