BUCHANAN — Instead of going to door to door to collect goodies this Halloween season, children can also have the option of dressing up and traversing the McCoy’s Creek Trail to collect candy from dozens of volunteers.

The 13th annual Trek or Treat will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, on the McCoy’s Creek Trail. Entry to the trail will begin at the west end, near the gate next to Clark Lab. Parking is available in Clark Lab, off of Front Street.

The event is free and open to the public. Children and their families are welcome to traverse the trail and collect candy from costumed volunteers. This year, children can expect to meet friendly characters like the Green Giant, a police officer with McGruff the Crime Dog, as well a mountain man and cartoon characters.

The Friends of McCoy’s Creek Trail sponsors the annual event. To make the event a reality, they need the community’s help in collecting candy for the event. Candy can be dropped off at multiple locations through Friday, Oct. 26. Drop off locations include Buchanan City Hall, 302 Red Bud Trail N.; Redbud Insurance, 110 Main St.; Redbud Fitness and Lifestyle Center, 500 E. Third St. and Buchanan Senior Center, 810 Rynearson St. All candy must be wrapped.

Member of the trail board Wayne Writer said he is looking forward to seeing a good crowd of children and their families participate.

“Last year it rained, and we still had 1,000 people come through the trail,” Writer said. “I’m looking forward to a nice day and lots of people coming out.”

While the event offers a safe opportunity for children to collect candy, Writer said it is also an ideal way to showcase the McCoy’s Creek Trail.

“Even though people are well aware of the trail here in Buchanan, sometimes talking with people [we find] they have never been on it,” Writer said. “Our intent is to get them to go through at least part of the trail and see how neat it really is.”

Trek or Treat involves close to 50 community volunteers, including the Buchanan Police Department, Buchanan Scarecrow Charities and Buchanan High School robotics to name a few. Volunteers help by dressing in costume to hand out candy along the trail. Writer said they are still looking for volunteers to help hand out candy. Costumes must be child-friendly and Writer asked volunteers not to dress in scary costumes. Those interested must notify the trail board in advance. They can do so by contacting Writer at (269) 240-5000.

Writer encouraged the community to support the event and contribute candy.

“I think it’s something you can do for the community, we are kind of all in this together,” Writer said. “We have good community spirit in Buchanan, anyway. We are very fortunate in that respect.”