Webster Parish Libraries’ annual Trunk-or-Treat celebration drew 2,600 attendees to the Minden Branch on Tuesday, October 20, setting a new attendance record for the location as families gathered for an evening of candy, costumes, and movie-inspired attractions.
This year’s theme, “SCENE IT: Library Edition!” transformed the library and surrounding parking areas into a cinematic experience, complete with elaborate decorations, creative costumes, and scenes inspired by popular films.
According to Kim Sentell, director of marketing and community liaison for Webster Parish Libraries, 1,700 people participated in the outdoor trunk line, while another 900 visited the indoor Attraction House.
“This year’s Minden Trunk-or-Treat welcomed 2,600 attendees, with 1,700 through our trunk line and another 900 at our attraction house, surpassing last year’s record for Minden alone!” Sentell said.
Around 26 businesses and organizations participated in Trunk-or-Treat Lane, decorating vehicles with imaginative displays and distributing candy to children. Many participants went beyond traditional Halloween decorations, incorporating elaborate movie-themed costumes, props, and displays that rivaled or exceeded those featured during last year’s Harry Potter-themed celebration.
The event took place immediately following the Webster Parish Fair Parade, which traveled through downtown Minden earlier that evening. The timing may have contributed to the large turnout, with families able to enjoy both community celebrations on the same evening.
Inside the library, staff members once again demonstrated their creativity and attention to detail with an elaborate Attraction House. The immersive experience featured movie-inspired scenes that transported visitors through different cinematic worlds, continuing the library’s tradition of creating extensive themed attractions for its annual Halloween celebration.
The effort involved in preparing the decorations was evident throughout the building, with staff members transforming ordinary library spaces into a series of detailed displays.
“While those numbers are exciting, what matters most is what they represent. Seeing families lined up around the corner, children smiling, and our community enjoying an event of this magnitude is a reflection of what Webster Parish Libraries has grown into and the role we continue to play in serving our community,” Sentell said.
The event’s continued growth reflects the popularity of the library system’s annual Halloween programming. Last year’s “Platform 9¾ Trunk or Treat Part 2,” inspired by the Harry Potter series, attracted crowds across Minden and Springhill that exceeded the previous year’s combined record of 3,400 attendees.
Sentell credited participating businesses and organizations with helping make this year’s event possible.
“We are especially grateful to the businesses and organizations that participated this year. Their generosity, creativity, and willingness to invest their time and resources are essential to the success of this event. We simply could not do it without them.”
She also emphasized the dedication of library employees, whose work extends beyond traditional library services to include large-scale community programming.
“I am incredibly proud of our library system and the dedicated staff who work so hard to bring events like this to life. We have grown far beyond what many people traditionally think of as a library, and this event is just one example of our commitment to serving Webster Parish in meaningful ways.”
The celebration continues at the Springhill Branch on Thursday, October 29, from 5 to 7 PM, with a rain date of Friday, October 30.
Sentell concluded with a message of appreciation for the community’s continued support.
“To everyone who participated and attended, thank you for continuing to support Webster Parish Libraries. We love this community, and we are proud to serve it.”
For more information about Webster Parish Libraries and upcoming programs, visit websterpl.org or follow Webster Parish Libraries on Facebook.