Safe trick or treating for kids in downtown Stephenville

By: Cody Drolet

Sports Writer

The annual safe Trick ‘R Treat will be held Oct. 29 in downtown Stephenville from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. this year. The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce has hosted some type of trick or treating for kids in the community for the last 20 years. Their main focus is to make safety a top priority while still allowing kids to experience a fun and exciting Halloween.

After talking to July Danley, president and CEO of the chamber of commerce, Danley offered some insight into what’s going on at the event as well as its meaning to the community.

“This event entails, treat stations sponsored by chamber member businesses and organizations will be set up along the sidewalks around the downtown square. There will also be a fun zone in the plaza parking lot featuring games and activities for the children,” Danley said.

The Trick ‘R Treat isn’t just for little kids, they also host a costume contest for children ages 1-16 with prizes going to the top five categories of each age group. The costume contest categories consists of the funniest, the cutest, scariest, most creative and the best homemade costume.

This event also allows local businesses to sponsor a treat station or a fun zone and get their name out to Stephenville’s residents. There are four different levels of sponsorships for interested companies to choose from, with the biggest one titled the “Mummy of all sponsors.”

Danley said, “Supporting this event through sponsorship provides a great opportunity to get your business name in front of thousands of families, during the event, and in all of our printed and online marketing and promotion.”

With an event that has been a tradition in Stephenville for a while, the chamber of commerce expects a big turnout. Last year they had over 80 treat booths and over 1,000 costume entries. Additionally, since the Trick ‘R Treat is happening in the middle of a pandemic Danley said that the chamber is going through great lengths to make sure precautions are met.

Health safety protocols are as follows:

-Hand sanitizer stations will be set up around the downtown area.

– This year, the chamber will be assigning specific booth spots for each business participating with more distance between each table to help spread the line out.

– The chamber is adding an extra hour to the event time frame. 

– To reduce contact, the chamber is asking treat givers to drop the treat in each child’s bag or bucket instead of allowing the children to put their hand in the candy bucket.

– The chamber will have masks and gloves available.

If you are free stop by the Trick ‘R Treat and support local businesses around the area to have a fun and safe time.