Trunk-or-Treat draws record crowd in Bristol

By Manny Correira
Posted 11/1/22

It may have been the biggest and best event of its kind ever held. Some said it reminded them of a Bristol Fourth of July Parade turnout.

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Trunk-or-Treat draws record crowd in Bristol

Posted

It may have been the biggest and best event of its kind ever held.

People were amazed at the huge turnout for Sunday’s annual Bristol Police Department Trunk or Treat event in downtown Bristol. Some say it reminded them of a Bristol Fourth of July Parade turnout.

“It may not have been as big as the annual parade here on the Fourth of July, but I’ll tell you this, the number of people who turned out for this thing today was staggering,” said a local passerby. There was also lively entertainment provided by “The Unlikely Strummers,” a group of talented musicians from Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Adding to the festivities was a cloudless day with perfect late summer-like temperatures and the buzz of a celebration.

Parents, grandparents, and toddlers were dressed in a wide variety of Halloween outfits and set the tone for an early afternoon march through town. They were also served up popcorn by members of the Bristol Prevention Coalition.

“This was our third annual Trunk or Treat event,” said Bristol Police Sgt. Michael Vieira, who was in charge of event preparations. Previously, the Truck or Treat event was held at Police headquarters at the corner of Metacom Ave. and Bay View Ave., but this year, it was moved to the downtown area in conjunction with the Halloween Walkabout.

“Next year, we’ll probably go back to the police station to hold the Trunk or Treat event,” said Sgt. Vieira, “but this year, we’re going to enjoy the moment here downtown.”

“This is the most people I think I ever seen for this event,” noted Bristol House of Pizza’s Greg Gatos. “It was awesome. It was great to see families together like this.”

Samantha Martins, a former Miss Fourth of July Pageant contestant and runner-up said she was astounded by the turnout on Sunday.

“I’ve never seen that many kids in the Walkabout,” she smiled. “I’m happy to see everything getting back to normal.”

Naturally, Bristol Police Chief Kevin Lynch was tickled pink with the day’s results.

He said, “A special thanks to all the ghouls and goblins that came to visit the Bristol Police Department and Bristol Prevention Coalition Halloween Walkabout (trunk or treat) today. Special thanks to the Gatos family (Bristol House of Pizza), Town Administrator Steven Contente, Town Council, Town Clerk Melissa Cordeiro, Knights of Columbus, Sgt. Michael Vieira, Clerks Natalie Carroll and Natalie Stone (event coordinators), Sgt. Ricardo Mourato (aka Elvis) and Officer Brandon Correia.”

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.