When I first moved into Placerville Ward, the ward used to have a huge Halloween Party with a haunted house, carnival games, and a costume parade. I think Sis. Perry was still dressing up as a witch or at least I heard stories about her doing so. Like I said, the party was a huge deal. Then a family moved in and questioned why we were making such a big deal about such holiday. Then it was turned into a Harvest Festival. That lasted a couple of years until it was down to nothing at the church. We went along fine like that for a few years.
One year when my boys were small and Moore's still lived in town, Halloween landed on a Sunday. Since we didn't want to take the kids trick or treating on Sunday, a few families decided to meet at the lower parking lot at the church so the kids could trunk or treat. I remember Debby G. brought hot chocolate. After the kids got their candy and ran around the parking lot while the adults visited, we all left and went back home. It was the best Halloween my kids had had since they were born. Prior to that year, we drove them to a couple friends' homes, but there was really no trick or treating in town.
The next year we decided to meet again for a trunk or treat. A few more families participated. Same deal...simple, quick and fun. Soon the ward started participating but it was still manageable. The ward added hot dogs and chili, still all in the parking lot, no mess in the church. The years have gone by and every year a little something been added. This really intensified when we started combining with the other wards, until finally it happened this year...we came full circle. Carnival, dinner, graveyard, along with a huge trunk or treat. I am not complaining but it made me laugh. As I walked through it, all I thought of was the poor activity committee members who were killing themselves to create all this. Does the stress and effort increase the fun? I don't think so...I still remember the first night in the parking lot with friends and hot chocolate. My all time favorite Halloween.
With all that said, I did take some fun pictures from this year's event.
Ana as a bride with really bad hair :)
Mary as a really friendly looking witch. 
These costumes were my favorite. You can barely see them in this picture but they were neon stick figures. Very clever. They were dancing out in the parking lot. So cute.
