SOLEDAD — Halloween began early in Soledad last Saturday afternoon with Spookfest taking place at Cesar Chavez Park on Front Street.
Soledad Chamber of Commerce blocked off the area for its citywide event that began at 3 p.m. and featured games, pumpkin decorating and a Trunk-or-Treat.
The seventh annual celebration kicked off with activities for the younger children, including games and candy distribution. At 6 p.m., a DJ set up to provide music for all in attendance, with many dressed up in costumes. Spooky drinks were sold along with food and beer.
According to Spookfest co-founder Frank Corralejo, the event started in 2020 when families were just getting out and about following shelter-in-place orders due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We had decided to create an event where families could gather and celebrate the holiday,” Correlejo said. “That first year was tough as we had to work with the county to make sure people were keeping enough distance from each other. Just like in the past years, we want to give people a chance to get together, dress up and have a great time with all the members of our community.”
Correlejo thanked the New Image Car Club for their continued help with the event and the City of Soledad for helping set up the park and use of the park.
Also helping out were members of the Soledad Unified School District, which provided lots of volunteers, and the Soledad Police Department, which came out to distribute candy. The Soledad Fire Department was also a crowd favorite for bringing their fire trucks.
“We had a little drizzle at the beginning of the event,” Correlejo said. “People just kept showing up, and I think we set an attendance record.”
