Folklorico Raises Mexica is performing at the Trick-or-Treat event on San Bento St. Photo by Adam Bell.
Folklorico Raises Mexica performs at the downtown Hollister Trick-or-Treat event on San Bento Street. Photo by Adam Bell.

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Hollister Parks and Recreation hosted its Trick-or-Treat celebration on Oct. 30, with 32 organizations and businesses participating and handing out candy to kids on San Benito Street.

Hollister Downtown Association’s Kayla Ketchum said the event was held on a Friday so people could still visit homes in their neighborhood on Halloween. 

“You have to go and find people that want to set up booths, vendors,” Ketchum said. “It takes quite a bit of time to be able to collect everything and put it all together.”

People are standing in line for Cotton Candy from Abundant Life Church. Photo by Adam Bell.

People are standing in line for Cotton Candy from Abundant Life Church.

Photo by Adam Bell.

Hollister Downtown Association’s Kayla Ketchum is handing out candy to Xavier Barrios, dressed as Sonic.

Photo by Adam Bell.

Hollister Downtown Association Kayla Ketchum is handing out candy to Xavier Barrios, dressed as Sonic. Photo by Adam Bell.
They are dressed up as a Turkey Head costume and a Fortnite Fishstick costume. Photo by Adam Bell.

Kids dressed up in a Turkey Head costume and a Fortnite Fishstick costume.

Photo by Adam Bell.

Hollister resident Dyona Bochan said the main thing for her was being able to walk around, see all the different costumes from families, see how they’ve decorated, get candies and mingle. Bochan attended with her daughter, Delilah, who was dressed as a Harry Potter character 

“My favorite costume was someone dressed as a full-on pirate,” Bochan said. “I enjoy the community of it, being able to get together and enjoy each other’s company, while being able to enjoy the dressing up and the decorations in general.” 

Bochan said it’s important to make sure the city continues this tradition. “We can dress up and feel safe in the street, while not having to go from door to door.”

Hollister resident Stephanie Bakarian, dressed as the Pokemon character Ash Ketchum, brought her four-year-old daughter Zoe dressed as Eevee from Pokémon. Bakarian said that Zoe wanted to play with her friends, meet some of her friends, and go trick-or-treating to each little station together. 

“We have been coming every year since she was born,” Bakarian said. “My daughter likes to see all the costumes.”

  • Margaret Salinas in the hat (left), Hollister Parks and Rec Department, Raul Gracia, and Hollister Parks and Rec, Armando Medina (right). Photo by Adam Bell.
    Margaret Salinas in a hat (left), and Hollister Parks and Recreation Department’s Raul Gracia Armando Medina. Photo by Adam Bell.
  • San Benito County Free Library is handing out candy to the kids. Photo by Adam Bell.
    San Benito County Free Library is handing out candy to the kids. Photo by Adam Bell.
  • The kids are enjoying trick-or-treating on San Benito St. on Oct. 30. Photo by Adam Bell.
    Kids trick-or-treating on San Benito Street. Photo by Adam Bell.
  • Holden Elam is enjoying her cotton candy from Abundant Life Church. Photo by Adam Bell.
    Holden Elam enjoys her cotton candy from Abundant Life Church. Photo by Adam Bell.

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I am a lifetime resident of Hollister and was born in San Jose. I have a passion for photography and reporting in San Benito County. Since 2019, I have been working for a successful non-profit, Growing...