Downtown Philomath businesses are stocking up for an even bigger crowd this year as the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Trunk or Treat returns Friday.
The event runs from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 30 along Main Street between Ninth and 17th streets, plus the Philomath Museum parking lot, the same footprint as last year. Forty-five chamber businesses and 12 nonchamber businesses and organizations have signed up to hand out treats.
With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, the chamber chose to hold the event a day early.
“We know this is a chamber-led event, and our main focus is bringing awareness to downtown Philomath and our businesses,” said Nikki Hasley, the chamber’s executive director. “Most businesses will be open Friday — and so the better chance of us bringing that awareness was on Friday.”
Participants should plan on handing out plenty of candy. Last year, the chamber told businesses to expect about 1,000 kids, and the crowd topped that.
“We saw well over a thousand,” Hasley said.
One longtime participant who prepares individual bags of candy had 1,000 bags last year and ran out by 4:30 p.m., with a half-hour still to go.
This year, the chamber estimates 1,200 kids.
As for attractions, First Student, the school district’s new bus company, will bring a haunted bus. The Benton County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse will have ponies, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office is bringing an armored truck.
Hasley credited the downtown streetscape project with making the event easier to get around.
“I think between having it spread out, and especially with the streetscape being done and the sidewalks being all jazzed up, and the accessibility with the crossings, I think everything is very walkable,” she said.
For Hasley, the best part of the day is the people.
“I love seeing the costumes. I love seeing the effort that goes in behind all the uniqueness,” she said. “But I love kids. I love the laughter. I just love a good wholesome event. You know, it’s so easy and it’s a no-brainer and it’s fun for everybody.”
She also enjoys running into people she doesn’t see often, including her daughter’s friends.
“It’s just fun,” Hasley said. “It’s wholesome. It’s wholesome family fun.”
