HALLOWEEN ARRIVED A little early at Lodi’s Micke Grove Regional Park this year as thousands of adults and children showed up dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes Friday evening.
San Joaquin County Parks organized the second annual “Trunk O’ Treat” on Friday the 13th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the park.
Families, along with their children, attend “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi, on Oct. 13, 2023. The kids had the opportunity to collect candy and other goodies from the trunks of about 60 registered vehicles. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Esther Sandoval of the El Concilio organization gives out candy to children during “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Oct. 13, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Nikolai Pullen, 2, is dressed as Ash Ketchum from Pokémon during “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Oct. 13, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Brady Pearson, 12, dressed as ghost, waits in line during “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Friday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Brenda Saucedo, dressed as Sally Shock from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” attends “Trunk O’ Treat” with her son Jack Becerra, 11 months, at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Oct. 13, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Ronan Haury, 6, decorates a pumpkin during “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Oct. 13, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Freddie Blake, 6, dressed as Black Panther, attends “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Oct. 13, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
A skeleton in the driver’s seat of a Woodbridge Fire engine greets trick or treaters during “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Friday the 13th. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
A San Joaquin County probation officer hands out candy to Marcos Macias (center), 3, and Fernanda Macias, 2, during “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Oct. 13, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Allison Ardenyi, 1, dressed as Minnie Mouse, attends “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Oct. 13, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Children dressed in halloween costumes play in the bouncy house during “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Oct. 13, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Attendees take photos in front of a giant statue of Jack Skellington, a character from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” during “Trunk O’ Treat” at Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi on Oct. 13, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
The event had approximately 2,600 attendees who patiently awaited their turn to go from truck to truck for candy and goodies. Nearly 60 trucks and cars from various organizations including Woodbridge Fire Department and San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services decorated their trucks and gave out candy.
The annual event was first held in October 2022 as an open event, with about 1,500 attendees. This year’s event was ticketed with vehicles required to pre-register.
The event also had face painting, bouncy houses, pumpkin decoration and food trucks.
Harika Maddala is a photojournalist based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. They are a Report for America corps member and a CatchLight Local Fellow.
