How to resolve AdBlock issue? CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Organizers are busy with preparations for Clearlake's inaugural “Trunk or Treat” Halloween celebration.
The event, sponsored by Lake County Youth Services, will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the youth center on Golf Avenue in Clearlake.
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., children can “trunk or treat” through a collection of festively decorated car trunks in the parking lot at Redbud Park, located across the street from the center.
A group of a dozen or so volunteers have their hands full putting together the activity-packed, free community event, which is aimed at keeping children safe, and entertained, on Halloween night.
Along with the opportunity for children to grab their Halloween goodies, the event also will include a carnival of Halloween games and prizes, bouncy house, haunted house, music by DJ Nemesis and a dance floor, costume and trunk contests, community-sponsored booths, free raffle drawings and more.
Volunteer Bruno Sabatier said more volunteers, sponsors and participants are needed.
There are several ways to contribute, he said, from helping in an activity booth to donating Halloween candy, game and raffle prizes, or other event supplies.
He said they are particularly looking for lighting options for the nighttime event and propane supplies for cooking.
Lower Lake High School students have accepted an invitation to participate.
One high school club is sponsoring a booth while other students will be assisting with the set up and clean up of the event.
“They need 15 hours of community service; that's why I wanted to get them on board,” volunteer Ami Landrum said. “These kids want to knock out their community service hours and what a great way. This is going to be fun.”
Sabatier said safety is of highest concern in organizing the event. He said measures are in place to ensure all people participating directly in the event, such as trunk displayers and event volunteers, are “legitimate people to have around children.”
He said organizers are using the Megan's Law database to prescreen participants 18 years and older.
“We want to make sure parents know we checked all the participants out to make this a safe event for our children,” Sabatier said.
Along with keeping her grandkids and her great-grandkids “safe and off the streets,” Clearlake resident Shirley “Granny B” Balliet said she had an additional reason for volunteering to help with the event.
“The trick-or-treaters don't come to house. I have to chase them down to give them candy,” Balliet said.
For those wanting to participate in the festive trunk decoration portion of the event, registration forms can be picked up at Hair by Mz. C, located in the indoor flea market at City Hall Plaza next to Clearlake City Hall on Olympic Drive.
Anyone who would like more information regarding any aspect of contributing should contact one of the following volunteer organizers: Bruno Sabatier, 707-695-0834; Ami Landrum, 707-350-7419; or Crystal Williams, 707-655-8559.
Email Denise Rockenstein at
