Friday, October 25th, 2024 kicked off everyone’s spooky Halloween spirits with Clinton’s annual Trunk or Treat. This year it was hosted at the Indian River Complex, and was open to the public from 5pm to 7pm.
This festive tradition is beloved by all in the town. The kids, and even adults, dress up in their costumes and participate in going around to each trunk to get candy and to show off their costumes. From ballerinas, to dragons, to soldiers, and even Taylor Swift idols, the Trunk or Treat housed hundreds of unique costumes. Father of two young boys, Tim Pitkin, loved spending this night with his family, “The Clinton Trunk or Treat is a nice, safe place for your kids to enjoy trick or treating with all their friends.”
There were many different trunks this year such as Morgan’s National Honors Society, of which members dressed up as minions. Morgan’s SRO Officer Corbin and Jagger were there, and Jagger was dressed as a pumpkin. The Clinton Fire Department brought a fire truck to showcase. However, the night was highlighted by a very important trunk to the Morgan seniors, the Morgan’s Class of 2025’s Project Grad trunk. Some examples of other trunks included Pirates, “Swifties,” howling dog animatronics, and even a hearse.
Morgan’s Class of 2025 Project Grad trunk had five seniors, including myself, Riley Brauchler, as well as Amber Robayo, Joseph O’Brien, Patrick O’Donnell, and Isabella Johnson. The goal was to raise awareness for the Harlem Wizards basketball game that will take place in the winter. By getting people and their families to attend this game, the class of 2025 will be raising money for their project graduation that takes place just a few hours after graduating. It is a yearly tradition which involves the parents of graduating seniors organizing events to raise money. Eventually they will pick a secret destination that the senior class gets to travel to and spend the night with friends playing games, having fun, and making memories.
Project grad trunk coordinator Jennifer O’Brien, mother of two seniors Meredith and Joey, describes her feelings of the festive night: “I think it was an awesome turnout, there were a lot of families there. We handed out a lot of flyers for our upcoming Wizards game fundraiser. There seems to be a lot of excitement from both parents and kids that the game would be back this year. Hopefully, it will translate into ticket sales, our goal is to have a sellout game. I think the community liked seeing the seniors participate in Trunk or Treat. It was a chance for project graduation to give back to the community that supports us.”
All of the decorated trunks and costumes took a lot of hard work and dedication from the volunteers, and their efforts greatly paid off. The turn-out this year was phenomenal, cars ended up having to make their own parking spots on either side of the grass leading into the complex. There was a flow of new trick or treaters coming and going constantly. Being able to be a part of a core memory for kids is something so special. Seeing their faces light up as they flaunt their special costumes, and get treats is a feeling that can not be bought.
