The Manteca Recreation & Community Services’ downtown trunk or treat was a monster of a smash hit.

Attendance during the two-hour event on Saturday, Oct. 31, was almost double of last year’s record setting crowd of 4,000 to 5,000.

“It was big,” said Brandy Clark who is the director for the city’s Parks, Recreation, and Transit divisions.

The event that also included food trucks, kids activities, and DJ music had a larger footprint than last year.

Plans are already in the works to make the 2027 trunk or treat event even bigger.

Clark said the trunk or treat event will expand to include the rest of Sycamore Avenue, Maple Street, and reach all the way to Library Park.

The runaway success of the trunk or treat event is just the latest in stepped up participation in community-based activities staged by the city’s Recreation & Community Services by Manteca residents.

*The September Park-a-Palooza at Woodward Park featuring the Mike Torres Band as its marquee entertainment along with food trucks, vendors, and kids activities drew record crowds.

*Music on Maple in October closed out a successful six month run on the third Thursday and will be returning next year.

*The new interactive water play feature at Woodward Park that is now shut down for the season drew solid crowds of kids and their families on a daily basis.

*The city worked with the American Legion Post 249 foundation to successfully revive the three-day Memorial Weekend Commemoration at Woodward Park.

And that is just for starters.

Next Wednesday on Nov. 11 at 9:15 a.m., the city is joining forces with the American Legion to stage Manteca’s first ever Veterans Day parade.

It will start at Wetmore Street and Main Street, head north to Yosemite Avenue and then turn left to reach Library Park.

The traditional Veterans Day ceremonies will be conducted at 11 a.m. with Manteca retired Major General Eldon Regua resident providing the keynote speech.

The city is also gearing up to bring an ice skating rink to the corner of Yosemite and Main from early December to Jan. 3.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com