As part of its community public service, members of the Clark Volunteer Fire Department hosted the annual Halloween hay ride on Saturday, Oct. 31 for a large group of trick-or-treaters with parents and guardians.

As many attendees as possible boarded a 35-foot-long trailer and sat on hay bales provided by Larry Denney. The towing rig and trailer were provided by Fire Chief Nate Hoffert, who also drove. The traditional event began approximately 15 years ago, he said. For the first few years, residents did the hauling on their own.

However, there was a gap of a couple years and then the fire department stepped up and took over the program, Hoffert said.

“It’s a good way to protect kids,” he noted, as typical rural Clark area residences are well spread out. He figures that volunteers have been directly involved for perhaps 12 years and enjoy it.

The trailer toured several Clark areas and residents were ready with plenty of goodies for the youngsters. Besides the hay “wagon,” a firefighting brush rig with flashing lights brought up the rear for safety. Besides the wagon and brush unit, seven civilian vehicles were in the procession for parents and those who couldn’t fit on the trailer.

Many thanks were given by trick-or-treaters and adults for the fire department’s involvement in the annual event.