Thousand of kids enjoy early Halloween Trunk or Treat in Hercules
on October 31, 2026
Princesses, superheroes and inflatable dinosaurs filled buckets with endless candy as families gathered at the Hercules Community Center for the city’s annual Halloween in Hercules Friday.
The free event, hosted by the Hercules Parks and Recreation Department since 2019, brought an estimated 2,000 community members together for an evening of seasonal festivities. For the “Trunk or Treat,” local businesses, schools and organizations decorated 31 cars and booths, with themes from Alice in Wonderland to alien abductions, and passed out favors while competing in the annual best-trunk contest.
“It’s all about the community and the kids,” Hercules recreation Manager Ambra Garfield said.
Chelsea Colliver, a head coach for the East Bay Silver Dolphins swim club and Hercules Middle School teacher, said events like these provide an opportunity to promote the swim club, which practices year-round at the Hercules Community Swim Center, and connect with community members in a fun environment.
“I grew up in a small community, so community events like this really hit home,” Colliver said. Students in costume cheerfully greeted her as she danced at the team’s disco-inspired car.
Alongside the decorated trunks, first responders set up shop to meet the community.
“Especially for the little ones, it shows them that in the event that something does happen, they can lean on and trust us because now they have this experience with us,” said Kyle Wellington, Contra Costa County Fire engineer and paramedic.
Wellington joined other fire service members to pass out stickers and promote the County Fire Cadets, which provides hands-on training and career exploration in fire service for people ages 16 to 21.
“Engine, engine, number nine! Vote for us at the end of the line,” announced Hercules High School student Benjamin Shultz, as kids approached his train-inspired car. He has volunteered with his mother, Michelle Shultz, since 2022 and twice won the Trunk or Treat contest. This year, their car included a winding track of moving model trains.
“It really is a team effort,” he said. “I’m really glad that we’re able to do this together because I don’t get to spend as much time with her as I ought to.”
Community members also had the opportunity to enter and vote for the signature pumpkin-carving and decorating competition, Pumpkataaz. People admired the 15 entries as they moved through the line.
The results of both contests will be posted on the Hercules Parks and Recreation Facebook page in the coming days.
“I love this event,” Garfield said. “Everybody in the community, the kids, their families, can come here and have a safe place to trick or treat. It’s just a good feeling.”
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