It is a fun event timed to the Halloween season and this year’s fourth annual Trunk or Treat gathering on at Denair High School was the best one yet.

More than a hundred children – from pre-schoolers to high school age – plus dozens of adults came together Thursday night in the Denair High student parking lot for a spooky celebration organized by the school’s 119-member FFA chapter.

At Trunk or Treat, FFA students, their parents and other community members are encouraged to drive their decorated cars and trucks to the school. Almost everyone also dresses up in Halloween costumes. Prizes are awarded for favorite vehicle as well as best costume.

And of course, since it’s a Halloween event, there is plenty of candy to be handed out.

Denair ag advisor Christian Obando said it was difficult to narrow down the most creatively decorated car or truck. There were 32 vehicles entered.

“We had vehicles with smoke and lights, some with games, inflatables, balloons, and we even had a vehicle with a hay bale background and pumpkins,” he said.

The winner received a Halloween gift basket put together by Denair’s FFA officers.

A group wearing “Cat in the Hat” and “Thing 1 through 5” outfits were voted to have the best costumes, earning them king-sized candy bars as a reward.

During the hourlong event, children went from car to car to Trunk or Treat, filling up their bags or baskets with their favorite sweet treats. The Denair FFA folks even stayed a little longer so some of the Denair Youth Football players practicing on a nearby field could participate.

“The event was amazing,” said Denair High Principal Breanne Aguiar. “I loved seeing so many schools and the community come together.”

This year for the first time, other FFA groups in the Tri-Rivers Section (which includes Denair and eight other high schools) participated. They were from Pitman, Turlock, Patterson, Orestimba and Ceres.

The extra schools added more energy and fun to the event, Obando said.

“They brought their vehicles to decorate, passed out candy and brought their young ones to enjoy a night full of candy and fun,” he said, promising that next year’s event will be “even bigger and better.”