The City of Newburgh celebrated the Halloween holiday with their annual Trunk or Treat celebration on Broadway on Thursday, October 31. Lower Broadway transformed into a world of costumes and laughter for all of the city to enjoy, with lots of candy. Over 1,500 people came out to enjoy the holiday fun.

The City’s Trunk or Treat was organized this year by the Executive Office on behalf of the City Council. Members of the city recreation department and volunteers helped run operations and trunk set up prior to start time that night. The Trunk or Treat took place on Lower Broadway in front of City Hall.

Trunk or Treats are annual Halloween celebrations that serve as an alternative to the traditional trick or treating. At these events, families are invited to collect candy from decorated trunks while in a fun and safe environment. Trunk or Treat festivities kicked off at 6 p.m. with families lined up around the block down Liberty, ready to get their candy.

As families made their way around the trunks, music kept the party going, provided by Erick Santana, and families were treated to a photo booth, hot chocolate and other treats from the Salvation Army and fresh popcorn. A large cauldron created by City Engineer Jason Morris served as a gathering place for people to watch as marshmallows roasted over an open flame.

“Tonight, I’m feeling great. Seeing all the kids out here with their costumes and everybody doing something positive for the community so it’s a good thing,” said Ali George, Hospital Responder for SNUG. “It [Trunk or Treat] gives everybody a safe point to come and get some candy and listen to good music and be in good spirits.”

Councilmembers Robert McLymore, Bob Sklarz and Omari Shakur made guest appearances on Halloween night and joined in on the festivities. “It’s good that we all can get together, the children can have fun. It’s definitely safe, there’s no issues here,” said McLymore. “It’s something that the city puts on every year and it’s for the community so this is going to be a great event.”

Participating trunks and supporting organizations included Congressmember Pat Ryan’s CARES Outreach Van, Newburgh City Court Judges, RECAP, the Orange County Department of Social Services, Swimfinity, Ol’ Dirty Karaoke, Groove Phi Groove, Hook Elite Boxing, Dulce Cajita, Puebla FC, Joule Community Power, Safe Harbors of the Hudson, the Newburgh Red Storm, the McLymore Family Foundation, the City of Newburgh Codes Department, the City of Newburgh Engineering Department, the City of Newburgh Department of Public Works, the City of Newburgh Recreation Department, the City of Newburgh Water Department and the City Council.

Several community members and families such as Graciela Bautista, Maria Martinez Corey/Nicole Hill, Carlos Jimenez, Jay Matey, the Morocho family, the Vaquero family, the Cordero family, the McLymore family, the Luna family, the Smith family, the Trissoline family, the Glenn family, the BaDaBee family, the Flores family and the Valenzuela family also joined in on the Halloween fun.

The Halloween festivities went a little after 8:30 p.m. that evening. Families and friends enjoyed time together and some good scares before heading home, marking the end of another annual trunk or treat.