One of the most anticipated yearly events by children is Halloween. At no other time does the youth come home from an event so full of candy and goodies to eat than on the day where you get to dress up in the costume of your choice.

“Trick or treat”! That is the traditional greeting made as children hold out their bags, bowls or buckets for the candy and such to be dropped into.

It used to be that activity took place throughout the neighborhoods all over but while the tradition of going around to be get the Halloween candy is still alive where youth go nowadays has changed. 

Thanks to the forward thinking of town officials and activists, what used to be known as the time for “Trick or Treat” is the day is now recognized as “Trunk or Treat”. 

Instead of children roaming the neighborhoods and going individuals homes now they can come to a centralized location in downtown Jonesboro and reap the benefits of the many businesses, organizations, individuals and groups who line Main Street and pass out candy from the decorated trunks of their vehicles. 

According to Jackson Parish Library Director, Floyd Knox, the event has become an overwhelming success in regard to the number of people that participate.

“We have over 1500 kids come to the library in Jonesboro and another 500 plus show up at the Chatham Branch,” said Knox. “That is an incredible number to show up, especially considering that the evening carried a threat of rain.”

Parents also agreed on how good the new tradition is as one stated:

“When I was young we used to have to go to the Sheriff’s Office to have our candy scanned to make sure it was safe. We don’t have to worry about that here as you know that everything they give will be ok.” 

Another chimed in “It is sure a whole lot easier to walk up and down Main Street instead of getting in and out of the car as you go around different neighborhoods. Also it is a lot safer for everyone as there isn’t much lighting out in the country.”