Winners of Decatur Trunk or Treat contest collect prizes

Emma Haag (right), the reigning Miss Decatur Barbecue, presents Charlie Battiest, son of Briana and Cody Battiest, with a prize and trophy after winning the Second Annual Decatur Trunk or Treat Halloween costume contest in Decatur Saturday night. Charlie is dressed up as young Yoda from Star Wars.

DECATUR — Over a decade ago, it was considered safe to send your kids out to go door-todoor trick or treating. Because of the times we live in today, that safe peace of mind is nearly gone, forcing some communities around the country to come up with innovative ways kids can pick up treats in a safe environment.

In 2021, Decatur came up with a safe and fun way for the community to have a safe Halloween. Two city clerk staffers, Sheila Verser and Debbie Buffer, came up with an idea that involved local businesses, churches and individuals, and lots of young people. The name of their creation, Decatur Trunk or Treat Halloween Giveaway — and a new tradition was born.

The event was open to anyone who wanted to dish out some sweet treats and enjoy lots of fellowship in the community. Each participant was required to decorate his or her car trunk, pickup bed, or SUV rear compartment — thus the trunk part of the event.

The Second Annual Decatur Trunk or Treat participants lined Pat Drive at Veterans Park around 5 p.m., ready to make a bunch of kids happy. By 5:30 p.m., the Galley concession stand began to fill with family and friends dressed up in a wide variety of costumes from princesses, to robots, to dragons and even a wizard or a Jedi or two. This year, the most popular costume by far was Spiderman. At times, it looked like a Spiderman convention, with over a dozen kids and young adults dressed as the popular Marvel character.

For the next hour, the community filed down the street looking for good eats. Unfortunately, the rain, from a lowpressure system moving north, came into the area and dampened the event. But as long as the vendors kept their displays up, trick-or-treaters still collected candy and other items.

Meanwhile, the winners of this year’s best costume contest gathered under the awning of the Galley concession stand awaiting the announcement. The winning costume included Charlie Battiest, son of Briana and Cody Battiest, as baby Yodi from Star Wars fame; Isaiah Towell, son of Whitney Towel, as a Lego dragon; and Kailyn Bottoms, daughter of Sandra and Tim Bottoms. All the winners’ prizes were presented by the 2022 Miss Decatur Barbecue, Emma Haag.

The Decatur Fire Department and Decatur Police Department were on hand to cook hot dogs for all who attended the event.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS A vendor waits by an elaborately decorated rear compartment of an SUV Saturday night at Veterans Park in Decatur. This vendor joined over a dozen others during the Second Annual Decatur Trunk or Treat Halloween Giveaway.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS As darkness falls, two ominous figures emerge from the smoke, looking to give out a variety of Halloween candy during the Second Annual Decatur Trunk or Treat Giveaway at Veterans Park in Decatur Saturday night. The mad clown (Justin White) and the bat-wheedling ghoul (Curtis Lauber) quickly disappeared into the night as the rain began to fall.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS One of the most popular costumes at this year’s Halloween event at Veterans Park in Decatur Saturday night was Spiderman. The costume dress-up was part of the Second Annual Decatur Trunk or Treat Halloween Giveaway event in Decatur.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Emma Haag, the reigning Miss Decatur Barbecue, hands out little treats to another crown princess during the Second Annual Decatur Trunk or Treat Halloween Giveaway at Veterans Park in Decatur Saturday night.