Saturday was filled with an evening of trick-or-treating, at Pilot Point Scare on the Square.
Children played mini games to earn treats and goodies from various booths and tables, and it was also Pilot Point Main Street's first year running the event.
“Right after Bonnie and Clyde, it's hard,” Main Street Manager Jennifer Neal said. “It's a lot of work. But this event almost runs itself ... once we put in the infrastructure, and we do the things to get it all set up, then vendors come in, they do their thing, and now we … enjoy the event while it's here.”
One popular attraction was the hayrides around town offered by the Masonic Lodge, along with the cake walk organized by the Pilot Point Municipal Development District.
Madeline Rodriguez sported the number 13 on her soccer jersey, the same number the announcer called out, indicating she had won the round.
“It’s her lucky number,” her mom said, as her daughter held her cupcakes in triumph.
Families hurried to grab a ticket for “The Show Must Go On: A Haunted House Experience” at Starbright Center for the Arts.
At the same time, a police officer directed traffic, ensuring people crossed safely.
Various sections of streets were also blocked off around the Square to maintain a strong barrier between people and vehicles.
“If we're going to have the public on the Square, especially small children, we want to do everything we can to keep them safe,” Neal said. “So our police chiefs are incredible, and they're integral in planning the public safety side of it.”
Parks and Recreation Director Jason Poncio added, “And our streets superintendent, along with us, comes up with the logistics, and we implement it and make sure that our citizens are taken care of.”
Sandi Fangman and her husband, Tim, followed behind as their little ones ran to the booths to play mini games and win candy.
This was the family's second time at Scare on the Square.
“We just moved to Pilot Point last year and happened to stumble upon it, and that's all they've been talking about now that it's getting closer to Halloween,” Sandi said.
The Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce ran the Boo-tiful Booths and Trunks Decorating Contest; the first-place winner was Tuesday Night Tournaments "Ray Roberts Lake."
It was the Bartlett family's first time participating in Scare on the Square.
The family dangled a baited fishing rod with candy from their watercraft for kids to grab.
Although it differed from the usual bass catches Jay Bartlett is used to, he saw some similarities.
“The kids getting the candy are almost like fish,” Jay said. “Some of them come and want to grab it right away, and others are just like, ‘Oh no, I'm not sure about this.’” Jay and his wife, Sherry, celebrated two achievements that day: winning first place and celebrating their anniversary.
The other competition was a costume contest with divisions for kids, adults, groups and, new this year, pets.
“As the community grows, this will grow,” Poncio said. “We'll come up with different ideas and different ways to expand.”
Poncio added, “We can't wait to see y'all at Christmas on the Square.”
