After being cancelled last year because of COVID-19, the annual pre-Halloween “Trunk or Treat” celebration at Holyoke Community College will return this season on Friday, Oct. 29.

Trunk or Treat event will run from 5 to 7 p.m. in Parking Lot R on the main HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave. Families can park in adjoining lots nearby by the Bartley Center for Athletics and Recreation.

Each vehicle will be handing out free Halloween treats and also have non-food items for children with dietary restrictions. The event is free and open to the public and will be held outdoors, rain or shine. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Vehicles will be well spaced to allow for families to socially distance as they make their rounds.

Prizes will be awarded to vehicle sponsors in various categories including Best Executed Theme, Scariest Trunk, Best Costumes and Most Original.

Kids should be sure not to miss the voting station, where they can cast ballots for their favorite trunk to win the Kids’ Choice Award.

More than 30 HCC clubs, departments, programs, area businesses and community groups have signed up to decorate vehicles for this year’s event, organized by HCC’s Education Department and Student Activities.

Trunk or Treat at HCC started in 2017 as a safe, fun, and early alternative to traditional trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Rather than going door to door seeking Halloween treats, children go “trunk to trunk” to collect their candy, visiting cars decorated with seasonal themes and familiar stories and characters.