For years, Queen Creek’s signature events have included Spring Into QC, Founders’ Day and the  Trunk or Treat Halloween event, but things are changing this year.

“After careful consideration, effective this year, the town will no longer be producing the annual Trunk or Treat event,” a press release from the town today stated. Instead, the town will now add a Christmas parade.

The town stated that as Queen Creek’s other signature events have evolved over the years, Trunk or Treat has exponentially grown to great lengths.

“Last year, Trunk or Treat drew 20,000+ attendees, a testament to the community’s desire to come together,” the release stated. “While last year’s event was successful, it continued to move away from the core components of the town’s signature events and was becoming more logistically challenging.” 

With an event drawing more than 20,000 attendees that spans more than a quarter of a mile and includes numerous activities, Trunk or Treat “makes it difficult for friends and neighbors to meet up and socialize.”

“As the Town Center continues to develop, parking options north of Ocotillo Road are becoming more and more limited. In addition, the size and scope of the event required a two-day closure of Ellsworth Road to safely set up and take down,” the release stated. “The extended closure resulted in increased traffic congestion in the heart of the community. The event itself was also becoming increasingly expensive to produce – even with scaling back activities and reducing the amount of candy, the event was projected to exceed budgetary constraints for 2024.” 

Replacing Truck or Treat as the town’s third signature event will be the Queen Creek Hometown Christmas Parade, which will transition from a Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce event to a town event this year. More details are in the works.

“Trunk or Treat has been a great event, providing years of memories. The town extends its thanks to everyone who has made Trunk or Treat possible – from sponsors, vendors, community groups and residents,” the release stated. “The town encourages families to participate in the various neighborhood and community events taking place that time of year, in addition to getting to know neighbors through trick or treating.”