The weather was unusually beautiful last Saturday, perfect for the first annual Trunk or Treat event held at the Clearwater Fire Dept. 

Sponsored by Coborn’s, the event featured family fun, games, and, of course, candy. A row of cars with their trunks decorated in Halloween décor lined the parking lot for the kids to trick or treat at. Across from them, a Wright Co. deputy handed out candy and ‘badges,’ offering kids the chance to sit in his police car. Two of the Clearwater Fire Dept.’s engines were also out for kids to check out. 

“Coborn’s initiated the event and donated the candy and cookies,” said Clearwater Fire Chief Mike Keller. “We’re overwhelmed by the large turnout; we had less than a month to plan.”

“Coborn’s contacted the fire department and asked if we would be willing to host the event,” said Clearwater Fire Captain Jim Repke. “As Halloween is during National Fire Prevention Month, it’s the perfect time for the kids to come here and learn more about that too.”

Kids in costumes of all kinds milled around during the event, gathering candy, playing games for prizes, and taking breaks from trick-or-treating to decorate sugar cookies.

“It’s a great turnout, and the weather is perfect,”  said Clearwater Mayor Andrea Lawrence-Wheeler. “The Clearwater Relief Assoc. does so much for the community; I don’t think people realize.”

Clearwater Firefighter and city employee Maci Hill was the liaison between Coborn’s, the City of Clearwater, and the fire department. 

“We’re hoping to bring other businesses into it next year,” she said. “We want to make it bigger and better.”