In the event’s third year, EDRA of MI’s Paris Trunk or Treat served over 700 children from the community with candy, facepainting, magic, a scavenger hunt, and a host of other activities in a free, festival-style celebration.

Over 18 local community residents, businesses, and organizations hosted trunks, including a Big Rapids Fire truck, Mecosta County Sheriff’s Department, and Mecosta-Osceola Transportation Authority, which transformed one of its buses into an Alice In Wonderland tea party. Attendees of all ages enjoyed Fauxlaroid Portraits, Just B Facepainting, the magical stylings of Joel Tacey’s TipTop Entertainment, Far Out Food Truck, an Among Us scavenger hunt, and two free gift raffle baskets. Save the Ponds was also there, by popular demand, passing out fish food and raising funds to restore the Paris Park fish ponds. Families posed in front of the park’s mini Eiffel Tower for photos.

^{Image of families and hcildren lining up for this past weekend's Paris Park Trunk or Treat event.}

This year’s event was sponsored by 15 local businesses, with title sponsorship going to Cook Manufacturing and Johnson’s Automotive; other generous sponsors were: Paris Auto Service & Repair, Cabin & Castle, Paris Auto Sales, J&R Customs and Collisions, A-Fab Insulation, Best Lawn Services, ADAS Collision & Glass, Dairy Depot, Taylor Wellness Counselling, Paris Archery, Woodland Taxidermy, and Straz Heating & Cooling. Parking was provided by Switzer’s Sand & Gravel, and the local Mecosta County Sheriff’s Posse provided a safe walkway across Northland Drive to Paris Park. Mecosta County Parks Commission and local parks staff provided generous accommodation for the event. EDRA of MI’s board members Jessica Sharp and Larry Finkbeiner volunteered their time to make the event a success, as did local resident Jessica Saladin.

“It exceeded our expectations,” Event director Brandi Sweet said. “We knew this event was getting popular, but we were still amazed by how many families showed up. With the help of our local Sheriff’s Posse and the County Parks department, we were able to safely accommodate all our guests this year, and to keep things running smoothly. They’ve both been great partners. And thanks to the generosity of our local business community, we were able to bring more activities than ever. Families really seemed to be having a great time.”

“Everybody was vibing,”EDRA of MI director, Marjorie Steele said. “The kids, the teens, the adults, the vendors–everybody. It felt so nice to bring that community festival vibe back to Paris Park. That’s how it felt here when I was really young, and it’s just so rewarding to bring back that feeling. It’s a blessing to be able to facilitate something that brings so much joy to the community, and which brings life back to what I think is our county’s most beautiful park. And to see the local community rally in support–it’s just a beautiful thing.”

In addition to its three annual Paris Trunk-or-Treat events, EDRA of MI has also held two consecutive springtime Paris Easter Party events, with the last behind held in Paris Park. Both annual events have seen increases in attendance and sponsorship year-over-year.

_{Release and photos courtesy of EDRA.}