Trunk or Treat?

FREDERICTON — Halloween traditions looked a bit different this year in Fredericton, due to the pandemic. Trick or Treating was allowed to continue with safety measures in place, however, participation was optional this year and many chose to opt-out due to concerns of COVID-19.

The Halloween spirit was still in the air, regardless, and especially at a local elementary school where new traditions were being made. This year, Lincoln Community School hosted its very first “Trunk or Treat” event.  The event allowed students to have a Trick or Treating experience with their friends while staying safe and practicing physical distancing.

Tasha Briggs said that typically the school would host a Spook-tacular Halloween gathering for students to bring their families and enjoy an evening of Halloween of dancing, games, and trick or treating inside the school.

This year, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, they had to think outside of the box, to provide a safe, but equally fun event for their students and parents to enjoy.

The event they decided on was called “Trunk or Treat.” Essentially, parent volunteers parked their vehicles in the parking lot of the school during school hours, and throughout the day students had the opportunity to come outside and collect candy from the individual trunks. There were over 20 decorated trunks for them to visit, and many of the parent volunteers wore costumes.

Jerrica Calladhan’s costume was inspired by her children who are gamers, and fans of the Nintendo game Super Mario. Her trunk was filled with Nintendo plushies and she was dressed as their favorite character, Princess Peach. Various other trunks played spooky Halloween themed music, and were decorated with pumpkins, skeletons, and ghosts.

Students came outside in their individual bubbles and parent volunteers wore masks and gloves as they passed out candy. Students brought decorated brown paper bags with them to collect their candy in and collected everything from homemade marshmallow ghosts, and baked goods, to candy and even Halloween themed toys. Parents said they were concerned about sending their children out Trick or Treating this year, despite safety measures. Many students said that they were excited to have the chance to Trick or Treat with their friends, as not all children will be participating in Trick or Treating within the community this year. This event provided an alternative for kids who may not have the chance to get out trick or treating.

 

Teachers and parent volunteers, both felt that the event was a success and thought that it may be the start of a new tradition at Lincoln Community School. Students were excited to see their parents dressed up as well as their vehicles and it provided a nice diversion for students amidst the stress of attending school during a pandemic. This could be the first of many Trunk or Treat’s for Lincoln Community School.