A large turnout of families packed Third Street on Halloween night during the second annual Trunk-or-Treat Festival sponsored by the city of Ceres. 

Ceres residents, businesses, civic groups and churches tapped into their candy troves held to pass out Halloween candy from booths, decorated open car trunks, pickup beds, trailers, motorcycle compartments and booths.

“Overall it was a great event with an increase in attendees,” said Recreation Coordinator Crystel Aguilar. “The Ceres Recreation Department was happy with the attendance and would like to thank the council for a $3,000 increase in budget.”

Thirty-eight community participants offered booths or trunks handing out candy.

Dance performances were offered by Steps Dance Center and music was played by deejay Marcos Galindo. Some of the groups offered fun activities at their booths.

At least three churches participated, including Grace Community Christian Church, Harvest Presbyterian and Big Valley Grace.

“It was awesome,” said Gale Hyatt of Ceres, who helped pass out candy at the booth operated by Big Valley Grace Community Church. “It was a great turnout. There were so many kids and it was a lot of fun.”

The church used the opportunity to advertise for worship services at the church’s new satellite campus at the Ceres Community Center. Hyatt said at least 3,000 kids and parents came through the church’s display at Whitmore Park and learned about the church in addition to getting treats.

“What a wonderful blessing passing out candy,” said Hyatt, who felt the city offered an amazing event. “We went through so candy.”

The church also gave away free glow-in-the-dark glasses, bracelets and necklaces.

Other groups participating included the Persephone Guild, Ceres Youth Baseball, Job’s Daughters, Ceres firefighters, the Ceres Police SWAT team and the Ceres Woman’s Club. Organizations donated to the event including Rent A Drink (RAD), Creative Drinks, Love’s Heating and Air, and city department heads and mid-managers.

A number of businesses participated, including some which brought costumed employees to greet the crowd. The city emphasized that participants refrain from scary costumes and concepts for booths and trunks.