As the sun went down Oct. 18, the fun went up as Catasauqua Youth Athletic Association held a trunk-or-treat event on its athletic grounds. Numerous parents and grandparents with their kids visited the Halloween-themed decorated vehicles for games and, of course, treats.

A trunk or treat is an event where participants decorate their trunks and gather in a parking lot to pass out treats and play games with children. It’s a family-friendly alternative to traditional trick-or-treating that doesn’t involve going door to door after dark. Trunk or treating roots go back to the mid-1990s to improve the safety of the original trick-or-treat night.

Jayden Reed and Angelica Padilla, both from Catasauqua, set up skeletons in Padilla’s trunk to provide a spooky visual while handing out candy. Reed said he is a recent Catasauqua High School graduate. He added he enjoys the Halloween season.

Catasauqua Police Department Officer Jenna Potak was present at the event and interacted with kids and parents. Having Potak at the trunk or treat was a delight for kids; she was a school resource officer in Catasauqua Area School District. She said she looks forward to returning as an SRO.

“I enjoy working with and helping the kids,” she said.

One could sense the energy throughout the night as excited kids and their families stopped by each participant’s trunk for some sweet treats and Halloween fun.

CYAA, located at 890 Walnut St., Catasauqua, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the youth of Catasauqua. CYAA offers football, baseball, softball, field hockey and basketball programs for boys and girls of CASD. CYAA’s athletics complex is across the street from the school district’s football field.