The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The first Trunk or Treat took place in Blaine County in 2019 downtown Chinook Montana. Since then, it is turned into a popular event that was also held this year at Harlem elementary and Hays/Lodge Pole schools. One of the reasons the trunk or treat events are catching across the nation on is the idea of parents being able to take their kids to a central location to do the bulk of their trick-or-treating in a safe and friendly environment. This year the trunk or treat held in downtown Chinook was hosted by the Blaine County Health Department and was extremely well attended.

For many, Halloween is one of their favorite holidays of the year, and in North Central Montana one can never count on the weather to cooperate. This Halloween Mother Nature did her best to make sure all the little ghouls and goblins could dress in their favorite Halloween costumes and were able to go out and enjoy the evening comfortably. The Trunk or Treat had vehicles of all types lining both sides of the street in front of Finley's Food Farm and the Blaine County Wildlife Museum. In all, 13 vehicles took part in the event, including the Blaine County Sheriff Department, the Chinook Police Department and Blaine County Ambulance.

Officially there is no count kept on how many Trunk or Treaters participated in the event but for many in attendance estimates were at more than 200. Karla Zarn has participated in each of the Trunk or Treats held and commented that this was by far the most participants she has seen, both in the number of vehicles taking part and the number of kids in costume. In a slight change from previous years, this go around was scheduled for just an hour. Zarn stated the two hour schedule was just too long for folks and goodies were all gone before the time allotted was up.

One thing that is particularly exciting about a Trunk or Treat is the fact that kids and families can partake in the event together and in one general location without having to traipse all over town and knock on doors hoping to get their favorite treat in their bag. For many they would continue on and do the traditional door to door trick or treat that everyone loves, but for families, especially those with small children this was a perfect setting.