By MADDY VITALE
There were pirates, superheroes, princesses, ghosts and a pony. Even “the real Batman” made a personal appearance.
Yes, it all happened in the parking lot of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, located on Eighth Street in Ocean City, on Saturday afternoon. There were treats galore at the first church celebration of Trunk-or-Treat.
Erin Williams, of Ocean City, walked with her 5-year-old son, Benjamin, from trunk to trunk to peruse, and take some goodies while checking out the Halloween decorations.
“Do you want me to take off my mask?” Benjamin asked eagerly. “I’m the real Batman!”
The church parking lot was transformed into Halloween a day ahead of All Hallows’ Eve.
Residents and church members decorated trunks with Halloween decor, from a pirate theme to the Batmobile, to lots of spooky cob webs and mean-looking jack-o-lanterns.
Elaina Midiri, 10, of Egg Harbor Township, and her friend, Gia Caponegro, 10, of Egg Harbor Township, proudly displayed their princess costumes as they selected candies from the different trucks.
“There is a lot of candy,” Elaina said.
Gia said she was having fun.
St. Peter’s Church Pastor Erik Hall said of the Trunk-or-Treat celebration, “I’m just glad we could provide this event, and it looks like a great turnout.”
Some adults dressed up for the occasion as well. There were clowns, a flower child, pirates and witches.
Julie Bickings, of Ocean City, brought her family to enjoy the event.
Her youngest child, 5-year-old Johnnie, dressed as a pirate and really got into the Halloween spirit.
“Arr!” he said as he approached Catherine Panico’s “Panico Pirates.” The Ocean City family’s trunk was decorated in the pirate theme.
Brenda Mirsky, of Ocean City, said the Trunk-or-Treat was a great way for children to enjoy Halloween.
“It’s so nice, after the pandemic, to interact in a very safe way with the congregation of St. Peter’s and to see the children have a beautiful day.”
Some children decided to spend some time watching other trunk-o-treaters while sitting in their grandmother Dorine Thompson’s SUV back compartment, which was decked out in spooky decor.
Elena Martinez, 6, and her sister, 2-year-old Aubriana, of Manahawkin, in Ocean County, dressed as the movie characters Lilo & Stitch. The girls nibbled on hotdogs and sipped drinks from the comfort of the SUV.
“They are having so much fun,” Thompson said of her granddaughters.
Christie Green, of Egg Harbor Township, a member of St. Peter’s Church, brought her daughter, Grace, 5, and her 2-year-old son, Joe, to the event and her mother, Susan Shrom, of Ocean City,
Grace, dressed as a mermaid, nibbled on a cupful of popcorn as she and Joe, dressed as a skeleton, selected some candies.
“They are loving this,” Green said with a smile.
