(Top) One of the cars used in Trunk or Treat and (bottom) the owner of the car pictured with his family. Families that brought their vehicles to Trunk or Treat filled their trunks with candy and donated it to any child who visited.
A new Halloween tradition took root in Crete this year as Tau Sigma Zeta, in partnership with the Crete Foodmart, hosted a small but spirited Trunk or Treat on Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. The inaugural event featured three trunks, decorated by the fraternity brothers and two enthusiastic Food Mart employees and set the stage for what the organizers hope will be a growing community gathering in years to come.
The setup was modest but festive, with each trunk decked out in a unique Halloween theme. Mary Ellen, a Foodmart employee from the Delectable Deli, embraced her love for gnomes, dressing in a gnome costume and adorning her truck with mini pumpkins from the store alongside her handmade decorations.
“I just love gnomes,” Ellen said. “My house is filled with them.”
Other costumes included bears, pirates, greasers, and a clever twist by a Tau Sigma Zeta member who dressed as Aaron Rodgers—specifically an Aaron Rodgers jersey crafted from a trash bag, with “trash” written humorously across the back.
The Trunk or Treat not only served as a fun stop for local families but also aimed to foster connections between Doane University and the Crete community. The Food Mart parking lot is filled with families, making it a bustling hub of activity. Foodmart and Subway kept their doors open, drawing in patrons for snacks and quick meals, and the fraternity brothers, who grabbed dinner from Subway, delighted kids and families by handing out candy from their decorated trunks.
Though small this year, the event’s successful turnout points to the potential for expansion. Trunk or Treat has the chance to become a yearly tradition, one that could grow in size and participation while continuing to foster connections between Doane students and the broader community in the festive Halloween spirit.
