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By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

CALERA – With cute costumes and painted faces, children looped around the Calera Courtyard, hoping to score a treasure trove of candy at Calera Main Street’s annual Trunk or Treat on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Local business and community partners parked decorated vehicles all around the courtyard to welcome trick-or-treaters. Creative trunks featured a bubbling witch’s cauldron, a Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert tribute and a life-sized, cardboard The Price Is Right.

Families wandered from car to car as children showed off their costumes and shared the Halloween Spirit. And if any kids believed they had collected enough candy, they could enjoy fun activities and inflatables.

With presenting sponsor Collectivus Church, the event marked the sixth year that Calera has hosted a Trunk or Treat.

According to Calera Main Street Director Jackie Batson, the events was a resounding success due to the level of community involvement and the new facilities at the Calera Courtyard.

“This year’s Trunk or Treat was truly our best yet,” Batson said. “We had record-breaking crowds, and the flow around the new playground and pavilion kept everything moving smoothly.”

In addition to the traditional Trunk or Treat experience, Calera Main Street also offered an exclusive early start for families with children with special sensory needs. Those families were invited to attend the Trunk or Treat early and navigate the event before the crowds arrived in order to provide a less overwhelming environment.

“One of the most meaningful additions was our early access for kids with sensory or special needs,” Batson said. “It was incredibly touching—so many families came up to thank us with tears in their eyes, sharing that this was the first time their child could enjoy trick-or-treating. Moments like these make all the planning and effort worth it.”

Trunk or Treat is not the end of holiday events at the Calera Courtyard. In addition to Nerd Fest on Nov. 16, Calera Main Street will also host a Festival of Trees on Nov. 23. The festival will feature live Christmas trees centering around the Calera’s Grand Christmas Tree. On the same day, Calera will host a Winter Wonderland Pageant.

On Nov. 30, the holiday festivities will continue with Small Business Saturday with Main Street businesses joining Santa for a Christmas tree lighting. To close out the Christmas season, the annual Calera Christmas Parade will commence on Dec. 7.

Those interested in learning more about upcoming Calera Main Street events can visit Downtowncalera.org.