Police will enforce curfew
Staff writer
Miniature zombies, ballerinas, action heroes, ghosts, and witches all will enjoy the fun of going from one decorated vehicle to another for treats.
Peabody Main Street will once again sponsor “Trunk or Treat” downtown in the 100 block of Walnut St. for all the local spooks and goblins on Halloween night.
“We had a terrific turnout last year,” Main Street director Shane Marler said. “It is a great way for parents and kids to share the evening in a safe environment, and the event has a great hometown feel to it. People are able to stop and visit with one another and enjoy seeing the kids’ excitement. Everyone had a great time.”
Marler said many of the decorated vehicles were cleverly done and varied from fun to frightening motifs.
“We are again offering $100 in Peabody bucks to the best decorated car trunk or golf cart, mini-van, or pickup,” he said. “I think the adults who did the vehicle decorating last year had as much fun as the kids did trick or treating among them. There was some real creative effort put into it.”
According to Peabody Police Chief Bruce Burke, barricades will go up at the intersection of Walnut and Second Sts. and Walnut and First Sts. at about 4 p.m. Traffic will be detoured to either Vine or Sycamore Sts.
“We encourage people participating with decorated cars to come to the Walnut and First intersection to enter the trick or treat area,” he said. “We don’t want traffic coming and going from both ends of the block as people get ready.”
Trunk or Treat begins at 5 p.m., so participants need to arrive early to get their vehicles parked and set up by the time the children come for treats. Parents will need to park around the perimeter of the barricaded area and walk to the 100 block of Walnut.
“Hopefully, the weather will cooperate as it did last year,” Marler said. “But if it gets chilly, that will just be a good excuse for a couple of businesses to hand out hot chocolate or hot cider and let people in to warm up a bit.”
The event will end at 7 p.m., giving those who still wish to participate in traditional trick or treating in their neighborhoods an hour and a half to do so.
“Everyone younger than 18 is to be off the streets by 8:30 p.m.,” Burke said. “There is an away football game at Lebo that night. When students return from the game they are to head directly home, not loiter or ride around with friends.”
“People in their homes who would like to encourage trick-or-treaters should turn on a porch light,” Marler said. “Some people will leave the downtown area before 7 and having a light on will indicate to parents that treats are available.”
Anyone with questions about curfew should contact the Peabody Police Department at (620) 983-2133. Questions about Trunk or Treat should be directed at Marler, (620) 947-2356.