Letter from the editor
If you’ve never been to a trunk-or-treat, think of it as Halloween tailgating. Instead of children going door to door, families gather in a parking lot or park where cars are lined up, trunks open and decorated in spooky or creative themes. Kids move from car to car collecting candy, showing off costumes and enjoying a safe, community-centered twist on traditional trick-or-treating.
The idea took off in the mid-2000s as schools, churches and community groups looked for fun, safe alternatives to trick-or-treating. Today, trunk-or-treats have become a beloved tradition — a chance to celebrate early, connect with neighbors and show off creativity long before Halloween night.
Birch Grove Park in Northfield buzzed with excitement last Saturday evening as children, parents and grandparents strolled through the woods in costumes of every kind for the city’s annual Trunk-or-Treat celebration. Dozens of local businesses and organizations set up displays and decorated vehicles throughout the campsites, creating a magical backdrop for Halloween fun.
Our nonprofit, Heart of Surfing, was among them. As we hurried to set up and hand out candy, I’ll admit — I was grumbling that it felt too early in the month to celebrate Halloween. But as soon as I saw the children’s faces filled with excitement, my attitude shifted. My favorite moment came when a police officer leaned down to talk with a little boy dressed as an officer himself. The boy’s eyes sparkled with pride, and it reminded me what these events are truly about — connection, belonging and shared joy.
I enjoyed the event more than I could have imagined and left feeling grateful — for the laughter echoing through the park, the volunteers who make it possible and the community that continues to lift one another up.
Trunk-or-treats may look a little different from the way many of us celebrated Halloween as kids — walking door to door through our neighborhoods with flashlights and pillowcases full of candy — but they capture that same sense of excitement and community in a new way. Traditions evolve, just as communities do. What matters most isn’t whether candy comes from a front porch or the back of a car, but the joy and connection these moments create. Each generation finds its own way to celebrate, to gather, and to make memories. The heart of Halloween — and of community — endures, even as the details change.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
