A spooky good time for all ages

The Wasco Recreation and Parks District will host its 3rd annual "Trunk or Treat" celebration on Monday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Barker Park. It will be a free event and is open to everyone.

"Our goal is to have a safe and fun event where kids can come and have a good time," WRPD Manager Chris Serna said. "The more, the merrier."

There will be a kid zone and a costume parade, where prizes will be awarded to the best dressed. This year, the WRPD has organized a haunted house for the first time.

Different food vendors will participate, and there will be music.

The WRPD has partnered with local organizations, such as the Wasco Elks Lodge, Wasco Woman's Club and the City of Wasco. Assemblyman Rudy Salas also will attend.

Serna said, "It's a nice fellowship with all of the organizations."

Participants will decorate their trunks in line with the Halloween theme and hand out candy. Others will have booths and also distribute treats.

"Some go all out," Serna said.

Last year they had 33 cars and booths, and Serna is hoping to reach that number, if not more.

"We use the entire park area for this."

Last year over 1,500 people came out.

"It's grown every year, and this year the goal is to reach ,1500 to 2,000," Serna said. "Families come from out of town, so it is a large event."

Serna said it's fun to see all the decorations for the kids and family members.

"Especially for the kids. They are always excited about the variety of candy."

It is a great option than going door to door.

"It's somewhere where you know you can come and have plenty of candy, and having a haunted house, you can't beat that," Serna said.

For those that have never attended a Trunk or Treat, Serna said, "Join us and see all of the different age groups. It's a joy to see how we all come together for the children."

Following this event, the WRPD team is already working on the first annual Wasco Art Festival on Nov. 5. It will be a free paint night for over 1,000 people from out of town and local, and a collaboration with different artists.

There will be music, food and arts and crafts at Barker Park, 1280 Poplar Ave.

Vendors, sponsors or volunteers interested in participating can call the WRPD at 661-758-3081.