BOWLING GREEN, KY — On Thursday evening the Preston Miller Park parking lot transformed into a festive Halloween playground as the Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Department hosted its annual Trunk-or-Treat event, drawing hundreds of children, parents and local groups in costume for a safe, candy-filled celebration.
Set against the backdrop of the city’s commitment to family-friendly community events, the Trunk-or-Treat has evolved into a highlight of the season for Bowling Green families. For many local parents and children, it offers a safer alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating, providing well-lit, supervised fun at one convenient location.
This year, the event featured dozens of creatively decorated vehicle trunks hosted by local businesses and community organizations, each offering candy, treats and games.
Furthermore, as noted by Parks & Rec officials, the event supports more than just Halloween fun — it serves as a fundraiser and awareness-builder for local programs including the Bowling Green Special Olympics, thereby reinforcing the city’s broader mission of inclusive community engagement.
“Not only is it an opportunity for us to provide a really fun and safe way for our community to celebrate one of everyone’s favorite holidays,” said Cameron Levis, Recreation Manager for the city, “but it also brings people together and allows local businesses and organizations to represent themselves. It also supports our local Bowling Green Special Olympics program.”
From a parent’s perspective: “My kids love coming here — they get the candy, the games, they’re safe, and we get to see so many neighbors all in one place,” said local resident Maria Scott (name changed for privacy).
One of the participating local businesses, decorated with a “haunted carnival” theme, said they’ve been involved in the event for five years and look forward to it as a chance to give back to the Bowling Green community.
As events like this become more popular, they contribute to the overall quality of life in Bowling Green and signal that the Parks & Recreation department is responsive to family-oriented needs.
With the success of this year’s event, Parks & Recreation officials say the trunk-or-treat tradition will continue and may be expanded in future years — more trunks, more activities, possibly earlier start times to accommodate younger children. Attendees are encouraged to keep an eye on the department’s social-media channels for details on upcoming holiday events.
This year’s Trunk-or-Treat at Preston Miller Park was more than just candy and costumes — it was a vivid illustration of how seasonal celebrations can foster community strength, business-civic partnerships, and inclusive fun for all ages in Bowling Green.
