CARIBOU, Maine — Halloween arrived in Caribou a couple days early thanks to the recreation department’s new annual tradition: a community Trunk or Treat.
On Friday, the parking lot of the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center was transformed into a spooky adventure as more than 1,000 kids filled their bags with candy.
Volunteers from 26 local businesses, organizations and families decorated the backs of their vehicles with classic scenes from “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” “Star Wars” and “The Wizard of Oz,” as well as the more traditional Halloween pumpkins, skeletons and haunted houses.
The Holabird family of Caribou took part in the Trunk or Treat for the first time by decorating their vehicle with a “Wizard of Oz” theme, complete with a yellow brick road and the house that crushes the Wicked Witch of the East.
“We’ve enjoyed seeing all the kids dressed up,” said Jessica Holabird, who dressed as the scarecrow. Her husband Matt Holabird dressed as the tin man while daughter Harper, 8, was Dorothy and 10-month-old Amsden came as the cowardly lion. ”
Throughout the evening, mini superheroes, skeletons, animals, farmers and other costumed kids eagerly shouted “Trunk or Treat!” as their bags became heavier with the sweetest treats.
Three-year-old Bryson Sandstrom, dressed as Marshall the dog from “Paw Patrol,” receives candy from Michaela Brown at the Candyland vehicle during Caribou’s Trunk or Treat on Friday. (Melissa Lizotte | Aroostook Republican)
“I like getting candy,” said 7-year-old Emma Sandstrom of Caribou, about her favorite part of Trunk or Treat. Emma dressed as a deer while her brother Bryston, 3, was Marshall the Dog from the TV show “Paw Patrol.”
“It’s good to see how much fun they’re having,” said their mother Abby Sandstrom.
With last year’s Trunk or Treat canceled due to COVID-19, parks and recreation superintendent Gary Marquis said that the huge turnout on Friday marked the return of a safe and fun Halloween tradition for families.
“[Trunk or Treat] provides a safe environment for kids where they’re not running all over the roads,” Marquis said.
