me of year that so many kids, parents, and people in general like to be a part of. Some like to attend their favorite watering hole and dress up in hopes of winning the costume contest. Others have young children that are excited to get outside and go door to door in a traditional 'Trick or Treat' setting. Others have more simplified ideas of how they want to celebrate the Holiday.

The idea for Halloween dates back more than 2,000 years to ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated on the night of October 31. The Celts, who lived in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, believed that the dead returned to earth on Samhain leading to the wearing of elaborate spooky costumes as the day became more commercial in recent times. The idea for Trunk or Treating is a more recent phenomena and has become very popular due to its centralized location. The idea is very basic with participants bringing their cars to a central location, most commonly a parking lot. The vehicle owners along with friends and family often decorate their cars in very traditional or even modern themes using their trunk to present the goodies. Trunk or treaters then walk from vehicle to vehicle, collecting candy the way they would during a normal trick-or-treating outing.

Trunk or Treats locally have become wildly popular in recent years in lieu of traipsing all around town knocking on doors in hopes of landing the big haul. This year the Blaine County Health Department will be holding a 'Trunk or Treat' from 6:00 – 7:00 pm Halloween night in downtown Chinook. They encourage parents to bring their little ghosts and goblins to 'trunk or treat' from a lineup of cars offering their favorite Halloween goodies.

Harlem Elementary will also be holding a 'Trunk or Treat' on Monday, October 31. Their fun filled Halloween event will take place in the school parking lot from 1:00-3:00 in the afternoon. This is a community event, and everyone is welcome to attend. If you would like to be involved in the Trunk or Treat please contact Jessica Cochran, Assistant Principal at Harlem Elementary by calling (406) 353-2258 of by emailing her at jessica@harlem-hs.k12.mt.us.

Halloween in Montana can include just about everything when it comes to the weather. Cold, snow, rain, ice and wind are all potential elements one may need to prepare for. Occasionally the weather is great, and kids can trick or treat long into the night. Currently the forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high temperature of 57˚ and a low of 38˚ but it's Montana and that can change.

As always be prepared, young children should remain supervised, and vehicles are reminded to be extra vigilant in watching for children darting in and out of traffic through the night. Many businesses will also have treats available and the Sweet Home welcomes visitors to come see what kind of goodies the Staff and Residents have to fill the kids' baskets. Wherever you choose to go, be safe, be aware of what your children are receiving in their baskets and have a spooky good time!