Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 10/11/2023
BELCHERTOWN — Belchertown 4-H will be hosting a trunk-or-treat event on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 4-6 p.m. on the Belchertown Common.
A rain date will be Oct. 28.
Trunk-or-treat is an annual event hosted on the Belchertown common as a fun event that includes the entire community.
Residents, 4-H families and local businesses bring a decorated car and candy to distribute to the children that attend.
Cars line up along the back side of the common. Children go through the line to see the cars, gather treats and vote for their favorite car.
The event is $3 per child and a hayride along the length of the common is included with admission.
Belchertown 4-H member Janet Theroux added, “There is no age restriction, if you want to dress up and participate, all are welcome.”
This year, kids will also get a canvas treat bag that they can use year after year.
Thibault said they are looking for business sponsors and 4-H Families alumni too, who would like to decorate cars.
If you are bringing a car or have a child who would like to trunk or treat, you can call the event hosts Erin Thibault at 413-210-0990 or Theroux at 413-348-9050 to make sure they know you are participating.
All the proceeds will help benefit Belchertown 4-H clubs.
Belchertown 4-H started the event in 2005 as a fundraiser. The first event was hosted at Austin’s corn maze in Belchertown.
“We moved up to the town common as the event grew. Money from this event is used to give scholarships and camperships to local 4-H members. 4-H is an organization that helps local youth learn respect, responsibility, communication and many life skills,” Theroux added.
There are clubs that offer many different topics. Animals, agriculture, computers, robotics, babysitting and many others.
“Members range in age between 5 to 18 years old and can participate in many different programs such as: visual presentations — learning public speaking — winter horse programs — displaying their equine knowledge and judging skills — presentations at Big E and other local fairs. Clubs have individual curricula that they choose,” Theroux said.
The Belchertown 4-H Town Council runs this event and a few others throughout the year.
“We have a large tent at the Belchertown fair that offers a small menu, a petting zoo, children’s games and educational activities. We also partner with the local Boy Scout troop to sell wreaths on the common Thanksgiving weekend each year. We are the last 4-H Town Council in the state. We are always welcoming to new clubs and ideas. If anyone would like to start a club or join a club, please come up to see us and we can give you information,” Theroux said.