Safe Trick or Treat a huge success at S.C. Lee
Tue, 2015-10-27 05:00
News Staff
By PAMELA GRANT
Despite the chilly, rainy, down-right unpleasant weather Saturday night, vampires, princesses, monsters, minions, and more came out in droves for Copperas Cove’s Safe Trick or Treat.
The Safe Trick or Treat was originally supposed to be held at Ogletree Gap, but due to the inclement weather, that just wouldn’t have worked. According to Joe Brown, the Parks and Recreation Director, in just a few short days, the school, Chamber, and city collaborated together in order to make the decision to hold the event in the S.C. Lee Junior High School cafeteria.
To say that the cafeteria was packed throughout the event would be an understatement. Costumed parents and children were lined up outside waiting for the chance to get into the building. Cars lined the streets leading up to the school and the nearby side roads.
40 vendors representing a variety of local businesses, churches and more set up their booths to give out candy to costumed kids. In addition to the candy, the Safe Trick or Treat also held a costume contest and a pumpkin carving contest.
“It was incredibly thrilling. I was shocked,” said Brandy Kile about the fact that both of her children won in their respective age divisions of the costume contest. Stryker Kile (3) competed as Captain America and Kaliber Kile (10 months) wore an Incredible Hulk costume. Brandy said the family enjoyed the event and they felt safer being able to come to the Safe Trick or Treat rather than going door to door to trick or treat.
“It’s crowded, but still good for the kids. That’s why we come. I love the small town feel of it,” said Ashley Nieves who brought her three children, Darion (8), Jordan (4), and Christopher (1) to the event. Nieves, like others, said she liked the event because she knew her kids would be safer at the event than if they had gone trick or treating door to door. She also added the event was a good way for local businesses to network and for parents to get a better idea about what various local businesses have to offer.
“This is definitely the safe way to go for parents and children,” said Wal-Mart employee Dora Rojas, who worked one of the many booths giving out candy. “It’s so hard going door to door, and you never know who’s on the other side of that door…Our children are our future and we have to be there for our children.”
Rojas added that not only was the event a safer way to allow children to still have all the fun of Halloween (dressing up and getting free candy!) while still staying safe, the Safe Trick or Treat event also allows for a level of socializing one wouldn’t get going door to door on Halloween night. Many at the event were able to talk among each other complimenting costume quality, the character if it was from a movie, television show or book, and why they had chosen said character.
“We wanted to do something that we could all match,” said Pedro Torres. Pedro, his wife Helena, and daughter Mills (15 months) all attended the event in Minions attire.
“I like Bowser, he’s so cool,” said Malikai Atkinson (7) who came dressed as the Nintendo villain.
Some of the children had more important things on their mind than dressing up and socializing.
“We came and got a lot of candy,” said Daniel Chism III (10) who dressed as an Assassin’s Creed character.
“I got like 100 pieces!” said Chism’s friend Joshua Guillet (7) dressed as a skeleton reaper.
“We just came for the candy,” piped in Chism’s friend Abigail Hogan (5) who attended the event as a Candyland princess.