WARREN, Ark. — Downtown Warren was filled with ghosts, goblins, superheroes, princesses, and countless other costumed characters Saturday evening, October 31, as the city’s annual Main Street Trunk or Treat celebration drew what may have been its largest crowd ever.
Hosted by the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce, the popular Halloween tradition brought hundreds of families to the heart of downtown Warren for an evening of candy, costumes, and community fellowship.
The turnout was remarkable. Several participating booths told Saline River News they had handed out candy and other treats to more than 600 children, suggesting one of the largest, if not the largest, crowds in the event’s history.
Main Street was closed to vehicle traffic from Church Street to Cedar Street, transforming the downtown corridor into a Halloween celebration packed with families making their way from booth to booth.
Local churches, businesses, civic groups, and community organizations turned out in force, setting up decorated booths and distributing treats to children throughout the evening.
Among those participating was the Warren Branch of the Southeast Arkansas Regional Library, which reported handing out an impressive 400 books and 15 pounds of candy during its first appearance at the Main Street event.
The library thanked Gicelia Swopes with Save the Children and the Friends of the Library for helping make its participation possible.
Local law enforcement and emergency responders also played a prominent role in the festivities. Officers with the Warren Police Department and members of the Warren Fire Department were on hand distributing candy and visiting with families.
The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office also participated, serving hot dogs and handing out freshly popped popcorn. According to a social media post from Sheriff Herschel Tillman’s department, deputies distributed 500 hot dogs during their participation in both Warren’s Trunk or Treat and the Hermitage Fall Festival.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation for the opportunity to spend time with area families, emphasizing the importance of community involvement beyond its regular law enforcement duties.
Warren Bank & Trust Company was among the local businesses joining the celebration, welcoming trick-or-treaters to its decorated booth along Main Street.
In a post following the event, the bank expressed appreciation for the community gathering and the opportunity to participate in the traditions and memories that make Warren special.
The overwhelming turnout highlighted just how much the Main Street celebration has grown over the years.
What was once a Halloween evening centered largely around children traveling from house to house in search of candy has increasingly become a community-wide gathering downtown. Warren’s annual Trunk or Treat has, in many ways, taken the place of the traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating of years past.
The event also showcased the strong participation of local businesses, churches, civic organizations, and public safety agencies, all working together to provide children and families with a fun and welcoming Halloween experience.
Although an official attendance figure was not immediately available, reports from participating booths and the sheer number of families filling Main Street pointed to an exceptionally successful evening.
With hundreds of children collecting treats, downtown streets bustling with activity, and strong support from organizations throughout the community, the 2026 Main Street Trunk or Treat will be remembered as one of Warren’s biggest Halloween celebrations to date.
