Nesquehoning is trying something a little different this Halloween.

Instead of the annual townwide trick-or-treat event, the borough is moving to a trunk or treat at the Nesquehoning Hose Company. A trunk or treat is an organized gathering where participants decorate their vehicles and give out candy to children from their trunks.

The new event, which will replace the borough’s trick-or-treat night, will be held rain or shine from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 on the grounds of the fire company at the east end of town. Participants registered to distribute candy during the trunk or treat will set up between 5 and 5:45 p.m., and candy distribution will begin at 6.

In addition, there will be a costume contest for the children, food and drinks available and a best of show contest for the most creative decorated vehicle.

Borough Councilwoman Rosemary Porembo, chair of the public safety committee, said that the idea was the brainchild of police Chief Sean Smith as a way to ensure the safety of the children and provide adequate police coverage during Halloween activities.

“(It) is a very good idea because when you look at our town now, maybe in yesteryear when you allowed your child to go trick-or-treating, you knew everybody,” Porembo said. “Now we are at the point at who lives there and what actually are people giving out and what are the kids ingesting?”

She said the committee felt giving the trunk or treat a shot would help bring the community together since people giving out candy during trick-or-treat nights has been dwindling over the years.

“The children would be safe,” she added.

The location for the event was originally up in the air, with various sites being recommended, but council agreed that the hose company would be this year’s location.

Councilman Frank Jacobs asked how the committee and police would address making sure the children walking down to the hose company would be safe.

John McArdle, hose company fire chief, suggested blocking off approximately three blocks of East Center Street and reserving it strictly for parking for the trunk-or-treaters and their parents.

Suzanne Smith, Chief Smith’s wife, said that the goal for the event is to bring the community together to show their pride for the town.

She added that if there is anyone, such as a senior citizen, who would like to participate in the event but doesn’t have a vehicle or would have a hard time getting down to the hose company on their own, the committee will figure out a way to get them there to participate.

“We can make this great,” Smith said.

Anyone wishing to distribute candy at the event must register at the borough office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Donations for the event are also being accepted. Monetary donations may be made payable to the Borough of Nesquehoning with “Trunk or Treat” in the memo box.

For more information on the upcoming trunk or treat, or to register your vehicle or reserve a space, call the borough office at 570-669-9588 or 570-669-6124.

In other holiday matters, the borough Christmas lights committee is close to completing its project, and council is helping ensure it gets done.

Smith said that the committee is currently working to get the power canisters switched on 10 utility poles at a cost of $350 per pole.

She SAID they are only five lights short from completing the project.

Council voted to give the committee approximately $1,000 to finish the purchase of the five Christmas lights, which line the streets during the holiday season.