Clark State College will host a Trick-or-Treat event for the community from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, October 26.

Clark State staff will guide guests throughout campus buildings for a traditional trick-or-treat along with crafts and other fun activities.

“The idea for the event has been a long time coming,” said Travis Binkley, dean of enrollment services at Clark State. “We have discussed doing a trunk-or-treat for a year now but thought that the event would be enhanced with more engagement and interactions with the community by having it inside. We want to ensure we are offering an event that is accessible to the public.”

Binkley said the goal for the event is to use Clark State’s facilities to host a community event that will allow for a safe and accessible trick-or-treat event for families.

“We are proud to offer this event to our community,” he said. “In the simplest words, we want this event to be fun for everyone involved.”

Binkley said he would like to make this an annual event that grows with more business partners.

“I think we have a great opportunity to make this event special for the greater Springfield community.,” he said. “This year we are excited to partner with Springfield Promise, Springfield Museum of Art, and Franklin University.”

Springfield Promise Neighborhood will provide family-friendly activities for attendees, including "kindness rocks" and distribution of children's books for free, as well as information about upcoming events and activities for families.

“Springfield Promise Neighborhood is pleased to continue our partnership with Clark State to increase access to educational resources,” said Kali Lawrence, executive director of Springfield Promise Neighborhood. “We hope to increase the opportunity for Springfield residents to see Clark State as a community resource and a community space, not just for those enrolled as students but for all Springfielders.”

Most of the activities will be inside, but Clark State is planning on utilizing some spaces outside unless the weather doesn’t cooperate.

“We would like to invite anyone to bring their kids out for a great time—they will get to meet Clark State students, staff, faculty, and other community partners,” said Binkley. “We will have Clark State helpers available in the parking lot for anyone that needs additional assistance. Families can park in our main parking lot on the south-west side of campus just off of Leffel Lane.”

The Clark State community trick-or-treat begins in the TLC building on the main campus at 570 East Leffel Lane in Springfield. There is no cost to participate.