‘It’s a huge turnout’: Organizers pleased with Verona’s Trunk or Treat

Verona kicked off the borough’s Halloween celebration with its second annual Trunk or Treat event, which took place Oct. 27 at Railroad Park alongside the Verona Farmers Market.

Riverview School Board member Stefanie Garibay helped organize the event and said the goal was to help bring more awareness to the area’s businesses and organizations.

“This is a slow time of the season for the farmers market, so we’re trying to bring more people to our vendors,” she said. “And I wanted to make it strictly a local organization thing to try to bring awareness to Rosedale Food Pantry, the Verona Garden Club, the Verona Community Group, the Verona Fire Department, organizations like that.”

Members of many of the groups joined the usual market vendors in passing out candy to children, most of whom were dressed in full costume. In addition, there were pumpkin decorating stations set up for families to take part in after filling their bags with treats.

Vendors taking part in the Trunk Or Treat were Pittsburgh Coffee Co., Waffles Pizza, Tom’s Candy, Fudge Bar, Jewelry By Lane and Breanna, Musser’s Market (formally Schramm’s), Pasta Bill’s, Bushy Run Winery, Lower Valley Ambulance Service, Verona Volunteer Fire Department, Verona Police Department, Mayor David Ricupero, Lower Valley Athletic Foundation, Garden Club of Verona, Verona Community Group and Verner Elementary School PTO.

Garibay put some extra focus on the Rosedale Food Pantry, which also was present.

“They’re in Penn Hills, but they’re always a part of our Verona community,” she said. “They do great work throughout both communities, providing food for those in need.”

She was pleased with the event’s turnout

“This is a little bit bigger than it was last year, so we’re really excited,” Garibay said. “Hopefully next year, we can extend that to more. The more the merrier!

“But as much as it is for the organizations, it’s really for the kids. This is the best time of the year, dressing up and being somebody else. There are double what was here last year. It’s a huge turnout and we’re just really grateful that people came out to support us.”

Local businesses interested in being involved in next year’s Trunk or Treat event can email Garibay at sgaribay16@gmail.com.