Oct 24, 2022
BATAVIA — In its second year at Dwyer Stadium, the past weekend’s trick-or-treating event drew a larger crowd of kids and families than it had in 2021, Batavia Muckdogs General Manager Marc Witt said.
Witt said about 2,000 people came last year, but that it seemed that Saturday’s turnout was twice that, he said.
“Kids and families can come and trick-or-treat for free. It is a massive turnout,” he said as families walked by to go into the event.
“It’s a fun event. We can’t thank our sponsors enough. They get to set up a booth, interact with our community,” he said. “I think, doing it the first year, people talked as if ‘We have to come back,’ or ‘You have to go if you missed it.’ Then, obviously, we got blessed with some weather here — what great weather, seemed to help. I can’t think of a better spot where you can stop, trick or treat and have fun, play some games. It’s a safe environment.”
Lisa Quaranto was there for the first time with her daughter, Aleeah Vallejo, 9, and son, Zeus Vallejo, 6. She said they were mainly there for the trick-or-treating. Aleeah and Zeus were excited to go, she said.
“I’ve been hearing about this for weeks from them. There’s been signs all over town — the big pumpkin signs,” Quaranto said. “We’re going to see what it’s all about, get some candy.”
Molly Mazurkiewicz of Batavia said her son, Reed, and a his friend, Carson Beaver, were having a great time, getting candy and enjoying the weather. They were with Alyssa and Carl Beaver, their neighbors on East Avenue in Batavia.
“They’re doing face painting and stuff,” Molly Mazurkiewicz said.
Terry and Linda Eastman of Batavia were spending the weekend with their grandchildren, Jaylyn, 8, and Jaydyn, 7, of Buffalo, which included trick-or-treating at Dwyer.
“They actually wanted to come and wee police officers,” he said. “It’s their first time here, so we’re just going to roam the whole, entire thing.”
Michael and Amber Rosenbeck were there for the first time with their son, Cole, 3. They said they liked the event and that there were quite a few people.
“It’s awesome, though. It’s good for Batavia,” Michael Rosenbeck said. “We’re just looking around.”
