Palace Theatre hosts free trunk-or-treat, haunted history tour for the first time

The “trunk-or-treat” event has exploded in popularity over the past decade, with shopping centers, nonprofits and even car dealerships getting in on the action.

The Palace Theatre in Greensburg will host its first trunk-or-treat on Halloween, but it will take place alongside a heaping helping of haunted local history.

“This theater’s been around for nearly 100 years,” said Daniel Stainer, marketing director for the Westmoreland Cultural Trust. “And I’ve heard several stories over the years about a friendly ghost or two that some employees have seen.”

The theater will host the trunk-or-treat along with a “Petrifying Palace Haunted History Tour” from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. It will take place at the theater on West Otterman Street.

“We’re partnering with Stage Right here in Greensburg, which is producing the script and providing actors who will provide lore and history,” said trust event and program specialist Ari Burke. “They’ll talk about things like why there’s no whistling allowed in the theater, why it’s bad luck to say ‘Macbeth’ onstage and things like that.”

Burke said she was inspired to start working on the event after hearing from other Palace staffers.

“Last October, our box-office manager talked about some of the spookiness she’s seen during more than a decade here,” Burke said. “So I wanted to keep getting into those stories, whether fact or fiction, to show that we’re a very historic spot here in Greensburg.”

The trunk-or-treat event will be held at the Duffy and Summer Friedlander Courtyard at the Palace, 21 W. Otterman St. in Greensburg. Register online at ThePalaceTheatre.org.

It’s hardly the only one happening, though.

Here is a listing of local “trunk-or-treat” events taking place across Westmoreland County and nearby. Email listings for similar events to pvarine@triblive.com to be added to the list.

Oct. 19

• Christian Life Church trunk-or-treat, 900 Seventh St. Ext., Trafford, 4 to 6 p.m., includes games, hayrides, free concessions, crafts and more. Canned goods will be accepted for the food bank. Reservations required by visiting Tinyurl.com/4hpkuwe5.

• Recovery Centers of America trunk-or-treat, 2380 McGinley Road in Monroeville, 2 to 4 p.m.

• Manor Borough trunk-or-treat and pet parade, Norwin Elks, 135 Elks Lane in Manor 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants and pets are incited to wear costumes.

Sunday

• Fall festival and trunk-or-treat, Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church, 4600 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville, 3 to 4:30 p.m., includes pumpkin decorating and carving, games, food from the Kona Ice Truck and more. All ages.

Monday

• Big Twist trunk-or-treat, 2101B Douglas Run Road in Sutersville, 5 to 7:30 p.m. To register a trunk, email bigtwisticecream@gmail.com or call 824-872-4016.

Oct. 25

• Jim Shorkey trunk-or-treat, 12900 Route 30 in Irwin, 5 to 8 p.m., includes candy, face painting and food trucks. The best decorated trunk and costume will be awarded prizes.

Oct. 26

• Washington Township VFC, 4078 Route 66 in Washington, 4 to 7 p.m., 12 years and younger only, cash prizes for costumes and trunks will be awarded. Sign up to decorate your trunk and reserve a spot by emailing washtwpvfcbingo@gmail.com.

• Faith Global Methodist Church trunk-or-treat, 305 Freeport St. in Delmont, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To enter a trunk, or for more, call 724-244-4525.

• Harmony Acres trunk-or-treat, 355 Perryopolis Road in Belle Vernon, 2 to 4 p.m., includes Halloween games, food trucks, prizes for best decorated trunk and more. For more, email harmonyacresdairy@gmail.com.

Oct. 27

• Transitions Healthcare trunk-or-treat, 8850 Barnes Lake Road in Irwin, 1 to 3 p.m., will include candy, face painting and games.

• Level Green Presbyterian Church trunk-or-treat, 105 Olive Drive in Trafford, 2 to 4 p.m., includes candy, games, a fall StoryWalk, face painting, kids’ activities and more. Please do not wear scary or violent costumes.

• DeStella Dance Centre trunk-or-treat, 5820 Kennedy Ave. in Export, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per car. To register, email destelladancecentre@gmail.com.

• Gateway Middle School FTO trunk-or-treat, at the middle school, 4450 Old William Penn Highway in Monroeville. No cost to attend. Prize awarded to best-decorated trunk. To register a trunk or for more information, click here or call 412-372-5300.

• All Saints trunk-or-treat, St. Agnes Parish, 11400 St. Agnes Lane in North Huntingdon, 12:30 to 2 p.m. Donuts and cider will be served. No registration required.