Youngsters enjoy Peters Township’s Trick-or-Treat Trail
As the last of 300 or so costumed youngsters passed by with their receptacles for Halloween treats, Michele Harmel breathed a sigh of relief.

Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Alyssa Lips shows that when it comes to costumes, two heads can be better than one.
“We got very lucky today, seeing as how they’ve been calling for rain and it’s stayed clear for us,” the Peters Township parks and recreation director said.
If the weather wouldn’t have cooperated, the township’s third annual Trick-or-Treat Trail was bound for inside the recreation center at Peterswood Park.
But with a burst of sunshine Oct. 20, it was business as usual.
Set up along the trail, extending uphill from the rec center, were representatives from 25 businesses, community groups – the local police and fire departments, too – greeting the children with various goodies.
“Everybody who signs up as a vendor is given the opportunity to do whatever they want at whatever level they want,” Harmel explained.
Some dress up in costumes, this year including characters from “Ghostbusters” and “The Wizard of Oz.” Others simply pass out what really excites the kids: candy.
“Regardless of what they do,” Harmel said, “we really appreciate all of their involvement in the event.”
The Trick-or-Treat Trail was the third Halloween-oriented event organized at the site by the parks and recreation department.
Earlier in October was the 19th annual Haunted Trail, which Harmel said involved about 70 volunteers dressed up to scare folks at various stations and leading groups along the path.
“We had 1,831 go through the event this year,” she said.
“We got lucky with weather there, too. We had some mud to contend with on the trail, but it worked out well.”

Harry Funk / The Almanac
Ally, left, and Kiki Wright lean toward the adorable as far as their choices of costumes.
A modified version of the Haunted Trail, for children 8 and younger, also took place.
“It’s during the daylight hours,” Harmel explained. “The volunteers don’t jump out and scare them.
“With his age group,” she said about the even-younger trick-or-treaters, “that’s still a little bit much for them. So this gives them an outlet for Halloween through parks and rec, as well.”

Harry Funk / The Almanac
From left, McCall Forgie, Renee Powers and Kelly Sesco greet youngsters as characters from “The Wizard of Oz.”