By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com
Cute kids (and some grown-ups) in costumes, free candy and ghoul-cool cars will highlight two frightfully fun Halloween traditions in Waldport and Yachats this week.
The weekend’s fun kicks off Friday night in Waldport where the second annual “Trunk or Treat” party will haunt the community center parking lot from 6-8 p.m. Organized by Waldport’s Beachcomber Days, the event will feature some 50 decorated cars — up from 40 last year — decorated along Halloween themes, with volunteers in costume handing out candy to children.
On Saturday afternoon in Yachats, the Yachats Youth & Family Activities Program is teaming with the city and Yachats Chamber of Commerce for the third year to throw a family-friendly trick-or-treating event in the downtown area. From 3-5 p.m. trick-or-treaters of all ages are welcome to walk a designated route through town, finishing at a “Trunk or Treat” car event near City Hall.
Waldport’s event is sponsored by the Beachcomber Days Committee, a nonprofit that funds educational scholarships for Waldport High School students.
“Last year we had over 300 kids,” says TiAnne Rios, Beachcomber Days secretary, and “we’re expecting a bigger turnout this year. Everyone is welcome.” Calling Trunk or Treat “a safe alternative to trick-or-treating house-to-house,” she urges all attendees to sport costumes.
She credits local businesses, organizations, the city and volunteers for “helping put this together; it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Beachcomber Days is accepting donations of candy until noon Friday at the Waldport Business Center or the Waldport Library. Potential volunteers or those wanting more details may contact Rios at 541-270-5752.
In Yachats, YYFAP executive director Patricia Hettinger expects even bigger crowds than the 300 children and adults who participated last year, and also a boost in the number of community organizations and businesses offering free candy. Those taking part will display a pumpkin in their window.
The Yachats route begins at the Yachats Ladies Club on West Third Street, and goes to nearly 30 other civic and business sites before finishing in the parking lot between City Hall and the Yachats Commons. There, some 10 devilishly-decorated cars (plus a city councilor or two) will be the feature attractions. Volunteers will be on hand to help guide participants along the route.
Families can also trick-or-treat at the Pavilion, where hot dogs, beverages and chips will be available. In the event of rain, the Commons’ multipurpose room has been reserved.
“It should be a really fun event,” says Hettinger. “We’ve been working with City Hall employees and (chamber director) Bobbi Price to continue this fun tradition, inclusive of community and families.”
Maps of the route will be available at stops along the way, or online on YYFAP’s Facebook page. Those interested in volunteering may contact the YYFAP office at 541-547-4599.
