By MADDY VITALE
Get ready for candy, candy and more candy – oh, and lots of prizes for the spookiest costumes – at Jilly’s Trunk-or-Treat on Halloween
When Ocean City's Halloween parade was canceled due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jody Levchuk, co-owner of Jilly’s Boardwalk stores, decided to host a free event to delight children and their families from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Halloween.
The event will be in Jilly’s Arcade parking lot at 12th Street and the Boardwalk and there will be plenty of free parking on the street.
The city’s trick-or-treating hours are from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Halloween, so Levchuk, a city councilman, said the goal is to give families a jumpstart on the fun.
“It is all about the kids,” he noted on Tuesday. “It’s a kids' pre-Halloween party. It will be fun. There will be lots of food and freebies.”
Levchuk said he hopes it is a great time for all Ocean City families. He and his family plan on enjoying Jilly’s Trunk-or-Treat before heading out for a night of trick-or-treating around town.
“We decided we could do our own Halloween event, while social distancing,” he said of the outdoor event. “We have a lot of prizes and candy to give away.”
So far, there have already been a lot of cars that have registered for Trunk-or-Treat, Levchuk said. Set-up time for all cars is 2:30 p.m.
Jilly's Fun Cards, such as the one Jody Levchuk is holding up, are some of the prizes that will be given out. They are good for games at the Arcade.
All those who register their cars to participate will receive gifts.
“Decorate your car and dress up to enter our contests,” Levchuk said. “And everyone who registers will get a free Jilly’s goody bag that will make it worth their while.”
In addition to the candy, car decorating contests and costume contests will be some interesting sights and sounds for children to enjoy, including a special appearance by Jilly’s mascot “Fry Guy” and some ghoulish tunes from DJ Ghost.
"It is totally free," Levchuk added about the Halloween celebration. "We urge everyone to come and enjoy Halloween or register your car and help make children happy.”
The contest winners will be chosen randomly.
“If someone sees someone in a really cool costume, they won’t be shy about giving them a free gift or Jilly's Fun card,” Levchuk said of some of his employees who will be helping out at the Trunk-or-Treat. "We have all sorts of Jilly’s prizes to give away.”
Levchuk said although a storm is in the forecast for Thursday, Saturday is expected to be clear.
“It is supposed to be decent weather," he noted. "A lot of people will be in town, so I am expecting a good turnout.”
For more information or to register your car to participate in the Trunk-or-Treat go to https://jillysocnj.com/trunk-or-treat/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=eblast&utm_campaign=trunkortreat
