BROOKINGS They say it takes a village to raise a child, and during Trunk or Treat on Oct. 27, it takes a community to hand out a literal ton of candy!
Taking place from 3 to 5 p.m., Trunk or Treat is a free annual event providing a safe, family friendly afternoon of fun, with the most candy per square block in Brookings.
Each year, thousands of costumed visitors converge on GracePoint during this community event. By 3 p.m., the parking lot will be lined with 50-plus decorated vehicles and hundreds of volunteers ready to hand out treats for area children.
As of 2024, Trunk or Treat has gone on for 16 years, according to Pastor Serenity Miller, who serves with GracePoints community life ministries. She and her husband have been a part of this event since first attending GracePoint in 2011, and shes helped to organize it since joining the staff in 2017.
This has become a tradition thats been handed down through multiple changes in staff over the years, and we cant imagine a year without it at this point,” she said.
Nowadays, continuing the tradition means the GracePoint congregation donates more than 2,000 pounds of candy in the weeks leading up to Trunk or Treat.
In addition, themed trunks are hosted by groups such as the Brookings Regional Humane Society, Brookings Public Library, Brookings FCCLA, Brookings Police Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, SDSU Pharmacy students, and many more, along with dozens of friends and families who come together to host a trunk.
Overall, the event is made possible thanks to 100-plus volunteers from the church, including GracePoints Oasis college and young adult ministry, which recently saw 1,040 SDSU students kicking off the fall semester. Plus, Trunk or Treat sees plenty of involvement from GracePoint kids/youth ministries, which impact 400+ K-12 students each week during the school year.
Bring the whole family to Trunk or Treat for a safe, fun afternoon and loads of candy, says Pastor Matt Aspinall, whos been on staff with GracePoints family ministries since this time last year. As a dad who joined in for Trunk or Treat with his own family shortly after moving to Brookings, he says, My kids had a blast at the event last year, and I loved seeing all the creativity and decorations at each trunk.
As the father of five kids under age 10, Pastor Dave Hopewell has also been a part of organizing this event for over a decade. Now, with a shift into a new role as GracePoints youth pastor heading into this school year, he says, I love seeing the energy of our community as we come together! Its like a big family reunion.
Overall, Come see the creative trunks and collect some candy! says Pastor Nathan Clanton, who leads GracePoint kids ministries. We cant wait to see all the fun costumes!
For more information, contact the GracePoint Church office at 605-692-6671, or visit www.gracepointwesleyan.org.
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