As Lolly the Trolley rolled into the Ice Arena’s parking lot Thursday evening, out came princesses, tooth fairies and even a ninja turtle.

At the ‘Trunk or Treat” event, part of ‘The Haunted wRECk” festivities, 17 cars lined up with their trunks open and full of candy. Trick-or-treaters dressed as dragons, jokers, rock stars and other characters walked from car to car collecting their favorite Halloween treats.

“We have come every year for the past three years,” said Gabrielle Nichalis, who brought four children to the event. “It’s a nice environment, and I feel safe doing this with the kids.”

Other parents agreed with Nichalis.

Jen Bowers, who brought her three children to the event, said that it has become a positive, family memory and event to attend.

“My husband is a student at Kent State and we’ve come for the past two years,” she said. “We love coming, and the girls always have a lot of fun.”

Trunk or Treat, along with the rest of The Haunted wRECk activities, was free, but donations were encouraged to benefit Flash-a-thon and would be donated to Akron Children’s Hospital.

Each car at the event represented a different student organization. Members decorated their vehicles and passed out candy to children ages 12 or less.

Junior architecture major Christian Ford represented the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

“A lot of the families and kids seem to really appreciate this. It really enforces that Kent State is not just a university, but it really is part of a bigger community,” Ford said.

Graduate sport and recreation management student Stephen Horn helped plan the event and works for the marketing department within the Department of Recreational Services.

“We are expecting between 800 and 1,000 kids tonight,” Horn said. “Events are kind of like a hobby for me. Its something I enjoy doing, and it comes with the title.” Horn said watching the event come together and seeing the final product was something he was very pleased with.

Contact Erin Zaranec at [email protected].