TRUNK-OR-TREAT

On October 22, 2022, West Mayfield held its first “Trunk-Or-Treat Down in the Hollow” community celebration.  Like many aging rust-belt communities, West Mayfield has experienced over the years a sharp decline in the number of young families with children who venture out into their neighborhoods participating in door-to-door Halloween activities.  Of course, kids still roam our borough each October in their creative costumes visiting their neighbors with the enthusiastic cries of, “trick or treat?” but times have changed.  Many older residents told us that they don’t get any kids at their door, while some receive only a handful.  And many parents have expressed concern for their kids’ safety walking the darkened autumn streets and visiting strangers’ homes.  

Indeed, things are not like they used to be in the borough.  It’s almost as if Halloween as we knew it is a dying tradition. But wait . . . 

A new kind of Halloween activity has sprung up in recent years sponsored by church groups, schools, civic organizations, and communities–it’s called Trunk-Or-Treat.  These events are usually held in a central location during daylight hours where access and safety are well managed. 

Here’s how it works: participants gather in a parking lot, decorate their cars, throw open their trunks or drop the tailgates and pass out candy to the kids.  The whole affair is compact and close, giving everyone–from neighbors to old friends to all sizes of kids–a chance to socialize and interact.  And the cars are usually creatively decorated and quite delightfully scary for the little ones. 

Trunk-Or-Treat events tend to be very enjoyable for everyone involved. This is why the West Mayfield Centennial Committee decided to add a Trunk-Or-Treat event to our traditional Halloween experience in the borough–and we were not disappointed.  More than 150 children and their families participated, along with 43 decorated cars and trucks.  Costume winners were Joslyn Tate (“Scarecrow”), Brielle White (Crazy Cat Lady”), Antonio Moon (“Chucky”).  John Larson was awarded a very special prize for his decorated 1923 Ford pickup truck.

This event was sponsored and organized by the West Mayfield Centennial Committee, chaired by Mayor Licia Cogley.  Our mission is to plan and organize our 100th Jubilee Celebration in 2023, and to improve the quality of life in the borough–living up to our motto: A nice place to live. 

From the Community

Edited for publication on this page.

Great turnout! We had a blast!

Tricia Pegg Robison

Awesome job!!! Kudos to the centennial committee for hosting it for the kids.

Monica Sepp

Nice job to the committee! Fun day & great turn out!

Amy Porter Greco

I love that our little community is coming together!

Jacob Tate

It was a success and a great time!

Cori Morrison Maxwell

Photo Gallery

Winner: Joslyn Tate ("Scarecrow")
Winner: Brielle White (Crazy Cat Lady")
Winner: Antonio Moon ("Chucky")
Winner: John Larson ("1923 Ford")

More Photos by Sami Barkfelt & Kevin Farkas

Special Thanks

Our very first Trunk-Or-Treat Down in the Hollow celebration was truly a community event!  The West Mayfield Centennial Committee is grateful for the outpouring of community support that helped make this a very special and fun activity for our kids and families, neighbors, and the entire borough.

We want to thank Sheetz for generously donating donuts, coffee, hot chocolate, and cups.  Bethanie DeLuca State Farm Agency made a very kind financial donation. We also thank Jan Berry and many other borough residents who donated candy.  Mayor Licia Cogley and several WMCC  members organized the boxing of candy. Kathy Brewer and Jake Tate worked tirelessly setting up, decorating, and manning our refreshment stand and Centennial table. Florence Jacox assisted anyone and everyone in need with their decorations, managing the Centennial table, and greeting participants. Sami Barkfelt and Gordon Lowers provide much help parking cars and guiding pedestrians safely to the activities. Kevin Farkas and Sami Barkfelt provided media coverage. We are also very appreciative of the security and safety services provided by Constable Eli Kosanovich, the Beaver Falls Police Dept., and the West Mayfield Volunteer Fire Dept. 

Above all, we want to thank Chrissy Barkfelt for her vision, spirited enthusiasm, skillful organization, and effective leadership in making this event a great success.    

 

WHAT IS TRUNK-OR-TREAT?

Participants bring their cars to our community park. The drivers and their families decorate their cars for Halloween.  See the event photos for example ideas and be as creative as you want! Then kids walk from vehicle to vehicle, collecting candy as they would during a normal trick-or-treating outing.

PRIZES FOR THE KIDS!

Best Costume
Most Unique Costume
Cutest Costume

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Participating cars should arrive by 12:30pm to meet the event organizers. In case of rain, the event will be held on another date.

For more information, please contact Chrissy Barkfelt
724-544-4432
chrissy0917@hotmail.com

Help Make West Mayfield Be a Nicer Place to Live

The West Mayfield Centennial Committee is a group of volunteers dedicated to planning, organizing, and conducting the borough’s 100th Jubilee Celebration. We welcome participation by all residents and non-residents, past or present. Everyone is welcome! For more information about the West Mayfield Centennial Committee, view our events & activities, and see our history project online, visit our website and social media pages.

 

Make a Donation

Please make checks payable to West Mayfield Centennial Committee (or WMCC) and send to:

c/o Chrissy Barkfelt, 1015 37th St. Ext., Beaver Falls, PA 15010
 
Donations can also be delivered to Mayor Licia Cogley at 604 37th St. Ext., Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Mailbox is in the driveway.