The West Chicago Public Library’s yearly Trunk-or-Treat event brought the community together in a festive display on October 26, drawing a record 1,489 people.
Trunk-or-Treat is a cherished tradition in downtown West Chicago, where families, friends, and local businesses gather to celebrate Halloween with creatively decorated car trunks and a bounty of candy for the community’s children. The event has become a highlight for the area, embodying a sense of togetherness and Halloween spirit.
“I think we had over 2,000 kids show up, which is an insane amount, and we ran out of all of our candy,” Gloria Gonzalez, an intern for Karina Villa and a former Wildcat Chronicle reporter, said.
For some participants, the costumes added a touch of magic to the day. This year’s crowd featured favorites like Beetlejuice, Minions, and even the Grinch, with colors and characters bringing the event to life. Gonzalez shared the excitement of seeing her office’s “Beetlejuice” theme come together after considerable planning.
“It was something that the whole office kind of thought about together because of the new movie, and it’s kind of different, you know?” Gonzalez said.
West Chicago Community High School’s National Honor Society (NHS) also joined the fun with a Harry Potter-themed trunk.
“This was such a good volunteer opportunity for not only me, but for the rest of NHS. I just love passing out candy… it’s a good way to get the Halloween spirit up,” NHS President Miranda Bucio said. “I think the event was a massive success. I hope it’s bigger next year because it’s such a good way to bring the community together.”
The library event expanded beyond trunk-or-treating, featuring a bouncy house and themed activities both inside and outside. Local businesses also opened their doors, inviting kids to fill their treat bags while connecting with the community.
Andrea Garcia, co-founder of We Go Together for Kids, emphasized the event’s success and engagement with local families.
“We packed 900 bags of popcorn with our flyers, and we literally just gave out the last one,” Garcia said in the last five minutes of the event. “It was amazing, and I recommend you go next year.”
