DECATUR -- "Argh, me mateys," said Long John White to a group of small children dressed as superheroes, witches and ballerinas. "Are you looking to take some of my treasure?"
For children in Decatur, the spooktacular began in the grass parking area at First Baptist Church. The pirate protecting his booty was none other than the church's own pastor, Justin White. His costume resembled very closely those buccaneers from the days when Commodore Steven Decatur (the town's namesake) chased them across the Atlantic and Mediterranean in the early 19th century.
This year's trunk or treat event took place outside the church's classroom area, with several trucks and cars set up to scare and reward the dressed up hordes as they came to the church looking for gold in the form of candy.
"Since we had our 150th anniversary two weeks ago, we decided to hold our event outdoors this year," White said.
In the center of the parking area, a large bonfire blazed high, warming the holiday revelers as they walked through the church's display.
When the visitors finished raiding the pirate's chest, a short hop across the street brought them to yet another chest full of sweet treasures.
The Decatur Fire Department offered its visitors a huge chest full of candy of every brand. In addition to the candy treats, the firefighters offered Little Debbie baked goods donated to the department by McKee Foods.
General News on 11/06/2019