Avamere gets spooky with candy, games, costumes

Candy-lovers of all ages flocked to the trunk-or-treat held by Avamere Court on Friday, Oct. 31.

The event took place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the court’s parking garage. Dozens of cars were decorated for Halloween and were ready with candy for trick-or-treaters.

“It’s a good intergenerational activity for our residents,” said Heidi Arneson, the court’s life enrichment director. “It’s something they look forward to – seeing the kids and making them happy.”

Families wandered the parking garage, stopping at each car for candy and to show off their costumes. One family dressed up as Dalmatians. Another person wowed the crowd with an inflatable dachshund costume.

Inside the building, children enjoyed games and coloring activities. More residents of the court handed out candy inside. Their faces beamed when they saw the children in costume.

Residents said this was the second trunk-or-treat held by Avamere Court.

“When I first started at the end of June, the residents said, immediately, ‘Are we doing the trunk-or-treat this year?’” Arneson said. “They’ve been wanting to do this.”

A spooky pumpkin hands out candy at the Avamere Court at Keizer’s trunk-or-treat on Friday, Oct. 31. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

A youngster picks out her favorite candy at the Avamere Court at Keizer’s trunk-or-treat on Friday, Oct. 31.

Woof, woof! This person dressed up as a Dachshund for the trunk-or-treat at Avamere Court at Keizer on Friday, Oct. 31. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

Two ladies pass out candy at Avamere Court at Keizer’s trunk-or-treat on Friday, Oct. 31. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

A woman passes out candy at the Avamere Court at Keizer’s trunk-or-treat event on Friday, Oct. 31. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

Dozens of families flocked to the Avamere Court at Keizer’s trunk-or-treat event on Friday, Oct. 31. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

A vibrantly decorated trunk awaits trick-or-treaters at the Avamere Court at Keizer’s trunk-or-treat on Friday, Oct. 31. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

Dressed as “The Hungry Caterpillar,” this youngster plays a game of Halloween tic-tac-toe. The Halloween celebration at Avamere Court at Keizer included games for children. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

A youngster fishes for a piece of candy at the Avamera Court at Keizer’s trunk-or-treat on Friday, Oct. 31. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

News tip? Contact reporter Riley Ellis: [email protected]

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DIGITAL NEWS SERVICE: Get around-the-clock access to news about Keizer with a digital subscription to the Keizertimes. It’s secure, is available at $10 a month, and takes just a moment when you go HERE. Your support for local journalism is vital.