Trunk or Treat? Humboldt Park Jeeps Steer Halloween in Different Direction

Humboldt Park Jeeps host their annual Trunk or Treat for families on Halloween eve. Photo by Mariah McBride. 

	By Mariah McBride, Environmental Health & Wellness Editor, The Real Chi

Add Trunk or Treat to the list of things that the COVID-19 pandemic has normalized. Although the Halloween tradition that involves adults decorating their car trunks instead of their front lawns isn’t new, this Trick or Treat alternative has become a very popular event, allowing neighborhood communities to gather safely outside during this pandemic.  

The rise in popularity of “Trunk or Treat” can even be seen on Chicago’s West Side. This past Halloween, Humboldt Park Jeeps (HPJ), a West Side automobile group dedicated to Jeep Wrangler lovers, hosted their yearly “Trunk or Treat” event. And since the pandemic, HPJ member Miguel Santiago, also known to his community as Mikey, has noticed an increase in popularity in this growing tradition since the group first started hosting them in 2015. In his opinion, not only does “Trunk or Treat'' address the concern parents may have with going door to door during the pandemic, but he said it also addresses the lack of houses participating in distributing candy. 

“Oftentimes nowadays you'll go to the block and Trick or Treat, and there's only a few houses on the block that want to give out candy. So the way that I see [it] is you get those three people — those few houses off every block that want to give out candy — put them all together in one area, and have the kids come there. Making it easier, essentially,” the event planner explained. 

Miguel Santiago, an active member of Humboldt Park Jeeps, poses in his Jeep Wrangler at their Trunk or Treat event that he helped plan on October 30, 2021.  Photo by Mariah McBride.

Mikey, dressed in a skeleton costume, and some of the other club members gathered that Saturday afternoon in their decked-out Jeep Wranglers to distribute candy in Humboldt Park (near N. Sacramento Ave. and W. North Ave). With no set theme, the event gave participating club members the chance to be as creative as they wanted, accessorizing their jeeps, cars, trunks, and even themselves in whatever way they deemed fit for the occasion. 

While on the hunt for some delicious treats, families were greeted by Ghostface, spiders, dinosaurs, clowns, ghosts, and much more. Even Chicago police officers joined in on the affair. They decorated their truck, made skeletons and ghosts their patrol partners, and even hosted a Zombie Toss. Lasting from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., HPJ’s Trunk and Treat is always a chance for both the community and club members to enjoy themselves.

Attendee participates in Chicago Police Officers’ Zombie Toss at Humboldt Park Jeeps Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 30th. Photo by Mariah McBride. 

“Kids usually love Halloween. We all enjoy seeing the kids come out dressed in costumes and seeing the smiles and stuff. So we try to do it every year,” Mikey said. 

Although Trunk or Treat is one of the biggest gatherings that HPJ sponsors, it isn’t the only way that they give back to the community. This fall, the Humboldt Park Jeeps also planned a community back-to-school event. Before the school year, they were able to give out 1,000 backpacks, free school supplies, and even brought in barbers so that students could receive free haircuts for the new school year. Currently, they are planning a giveaway and are looking forward to their Easter event in the springtime. 

Because of HPJ’s love for their community, to join the group of around 30 to 40 Jeep owners, you actually need more than a Jeep. 

“You just got to have a Jeep Wrangler, and you gotta have a good heart,” Mikey proclaimed. 

For more information and to stay up to date on the Humboldt Park Jeeps check out their Facebook Page.