By Laura Wax
Boonville Daily News
For the children in all of us, Halloween is a magical time. We dress up in fun or scary costumes and roam the streets gathering as much candy as our plastic pumpkin buckets can hold.
Once upon a time the celebration was just a quick trip across the stage at school in you costume followed by a classroom party. Then trick-or-treating on Halloween night in the neighborhood and possibly a visit to the haunted house that was located in the Overton bottoms. In recent years however, Halloween activities throughout town have increased. The popularity of trunk-or-treats has risen. Businesses along with churches and organizations have jumped in feet first to provide several opportunities for the area youth to stuff their goodie bags with as much as they can.
At a trunk-or-treat, individuals and groups decorate the trunks of their cars. Trick-or-treaters can safely pass vehicle to vehicle maximizing their candy collection. There are multiple trunk-or-treat and trick-or-treat opportunities for the trick-or-treaters covering multiple days.
The candy gathering season will kick off on Friday October 27 with a Halloween Party at Riley Equine Center. From 5 – 8 p.m., you can enjoy a bonfire, take a hay ride, visit the haunted trail, have your picture taken with a horse, or participate in a costume contest. There is a $10 per car entry fee.
Saturday, October 28 will see multiple events happening. The downtown merchants are inviting area children to come for a friendly day of trick-or treating in Historic Downtown Boonville. Visit the following merchants during their normal business hours for potential sweet treats: Celestial Body at 221 Main Street; Gordon Jewelers at 406 Main Street; Stella’s Flowers and Gifts at 307 Main Street; and Molly’s Jewelry Design and Repair at 422 Main Street. Others may join in the fun as well.
Saturday afternoon and evening will see multiple trunk-or-treats all over the area.
The River, Rails and Trails Museum & Visitor Center’s trunk-or-treat is from 4 – 6:30 p.m. Their ‘Night at the Museum’ will be at the Visitor Center at 100 E. Spring Street right next to the KATY Trail. City departments as well as local businesses and organizations will be there to pass out candy. This year, the porch on the visitor center will be enclosed. Trunk-or-treaters can wander through an Alice in Wonderland experience.
River of Life Assembly of God’s Fall Fun Fest will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. on Saturday at their location at 1430 W. Ashley Road. This event will be held indoors no matter what the weather holds. Hotdogs and popcorn will be available for those to snack on as they visit. Just down the road will be trunk-or-treating at Bradley Automotive, 320 W. Ashley Road from 4 – 6 p.m. This event will feature candy, costumes, and cars.
Riverdell Care Center invites children to join them for fun as well on October 28. They will be open for a trunk-or-treat from 4 – 6 p.m. at their facility at 1121 11th Street. Show off your costume to make a resident smile. Lakeview Healthcare and Rehab will host their event on Saturday, October 28. They will be accepting trick-or-treaters from 5 – 7 p.m. Lakeview is located at 1450 W. Ashley Road.
Finish of Saturday evening with the First Baptist Church’s annual trunk-or-treat in their parking lot at 625 Main Street from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Featuring candy, games, prizes, hayrides, and a costume contest, there is something for everyone.
The fun continues Sunday, as Zion Lutheran Church holds their 4th Annual Community Halloween Party. From 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., in the Zion Lutheran School Activity Center, there will be trick-or-treating, bingo, cake walks, pumpkin decorating contest, and more. Soup and sandwiches, hotdogs, and desserts for a free will donation will be available.
The festivities will continue on Halloween night, Monday October 30. The Boonville Lions Club will host their annual parade along Main Street. The parade is open to anyone who wishes to highlight their costume. The parade begins at 6 p.m. at the corner of Main and Morgan Streets. From there, it will proceed south to Laura Speed Elliott where a costume contest will take place. Unlimited Opportunities Inc. invited you to tour the halls of UOI for a spooky treat at their event on Monday, October 30. They will host from 5 – 7 p.m. at their location at 1620 W. Ashley Road.
Firm Foundation Foursquare at 1000 Sixth Street will host the final trunk-or-treat of the season. From 5-7 p.m., their parking lot will be a great way to top off the season. Be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters throughout town on Tuesday evening. City-wide trick-or-treating will round out the days’ worth of festivities.