CULLMAN, Ala. – Smith Lake Park hosted its annual trick-or-treat event on Saturday, Oct. 25, bringing the largest crowd the event has ever seen. Cullman County Parks and Recreation Director Kenneth Cornelius said the event welcomed an estimated 2,000 trick-or-treaters and a nearly full campground of participants.
“All of our campers participate and hand out candy,” Cornelius said. “I talked to several who said they gave out hundreds of dollars’ worth.”
The park also featured themed attractions, including an American Bandstand setup where children could dance to music and a haunted house setup inside one of the pavilions. This year’s event was supported by Heavy Machines, LLC, which donated $500 worth of candy for park staff to distribute.
Although the tradition began in 2017, Cornelius said the event has grown rapidly, especially over the past two years. He credited the park’s close-knit camping community for helping make the event special each year, saying, “They’re like a big family. They love doing it for the kids and always look forward to coming back.”
Those who want to participate in the fun next year can reserve a campsite through the Smith Lake Park office. It is best to reserve a spot in advance, as spots fill up fast on Halloween weekend.
Cornelius also expressed gratitude to the staff and volunteers who brought the event to life.
“They work tirelessly and make it fun. We couldn’t do it without our campers and our team,” he said.
