Wesley’s Trunk ‘N” Treats Smashes Records
Wesley’s Trunk ‘N” Treats Smashes Records
by Barbara Hiura
by Barbara Hiura
What a festive night as all of Japantown literally exploded with activity and our Wesley lot was filled for hours with young and old trick-or-treaters. Once SJ Taiko finished their rousing and energized routine and their noteworthy safety program, throngs of families poured into our parking lot to 10 well-dressed and quite unique trunks and costumed church members for our annual Trunk N Treats event. It was a party not to be missed.
“So adorable” so “cute” were comments made of the newest trick-or-treaters as they toddled around what must’ve seemed like a gigantic lot full of cars. Added this year was Jake Shimada’s San Jose State University Car Club who hosted some 9 of their classic nicely detailed cars held in our Garden parking lot off 6th St this year. It is so nice to have their youthful energy as part of our Family and Children’s Ministry.
Do ya wanna know what? We again literally ran out of all our candy and toys. And do ya wanna know what more? We had more families than last year which was a record-breaker making this one the best ever with over 900 children visiting us. We had to close our gates in the end.
San Jose Taiko’s Halloween in Japantown founded by Taiko’s Franco Imperial, is a household name, famous throughout San Jose is the place to be. And finally, do ya wanna know why? Because it’s SAFE and the families, children, parents, and seniors who come to our community are well-protected. Thanks to SJ Taiko and a community that has come together, we have street closures, police presence, and a dedicated group of people from Japantown Prepared patrolling the area. YAY!
There are many to thank: First, this would not be possible without all of YOU, our Wesley family who plied us with a store full of candy and treats. You really stepped-up this year and yup, it’s pretty much all gone. We praise our many volunteers who put up their cars and handed out treats. That’s dedicating almost five hours. I personally have high praise for Roy and Hannah Takeuchi, our nonagenarians, who love being around all these kids and this year had their son Doug and his wife, Ellen Takeuchi doing up their car trunk. Roy exuded joy in his costume and it was infectious.
Taking the prize for best costume were Hector and Bev Acuna with their Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory themed car. Hector was of course Willy Wonka and Bev was hilarious as an Oompa Loompa. Barbara Mulford assisted them as the Egyptian princess. The show-stopper was the Missions car with a unique display of dolls and gyrating skeletons put-up by John Tanaka, Judie Kanemoto, Judy Yasutake and Bev Lovaas. New to our lot this year was our Paleontology car full of dinasours, a Jurasic world, from Terri Thornton (office admin) and Jeffrey Roloff. Returning after a several year hiatus, was Shizuko and Wayne Adachi sporting Arabian Nights outfits. Jill and Jeremy Aragaki were a mix Sponge Bob and Square Pants going for them. Mimune and Mieko Tsukamoto, along with Akiko Buchanan, and Mayumi Miyakawa were traditional witches. Joining them were Akiko and Jeff Gordon. Jim and Joy Baylor were also sporting the witch and wizard theme. We also had Terri Koike as Abe Lincoln and Cynthia Fukuda as a black bear; and finally, we had Mark Teagle as Charlie Brown and Barbara Hiura as Snoopy at the Peanuts car showing “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Hats off to our dedicated church members and their cars.
Doing a lot of the heavy lifting and working behind the scenes were Kelli Martines, co-event chair, who did signage and provided sandwiches and drinks for all the participants; our candy and toy runners, Ryan Miyahara and Brenda Gee, photographer and treat-runner, Hikaru Bakoshi, and to Mark for all the electrical hook-ups supplied to each car. Yes, it takes a Village and of course God smiled upon all of us.
“So adorable” so “cute” were comments made of the newest trick-or-treaters as they toddled around what must’ve seemed like a gigantic lot full of cars. Added this year was Jake Shimada’s San Jose State University Car Club who hosted some 9 of their classic nicely detailed cars held in our Garden parking lot off 6th St this year. It is so nice to have their youthful energy as part of our Family and Children’s Ministry.
Do ya wanna know what? We again literally ran out of all our candy and toys. And do ya wanna know what more? We had more families than last year which was a record-breaker making this one the best ever with over 900 children visiting us. We had to close our gates in the end.
San Jose Taiko’s Halloween in Japantown founded by Taiko’s Franco Imperial, is a household name, famous throughout San Jose is the place to be. And finally, do ya wanna know why? Because it’s SAFE and the families, children, parents, and seniors who come to our community are well-protected. Thanks to SJ Taiko and a community that has come together, we have street closures, police presence, and a dedicated group of people from Japantown Prepared patrolling the area. YAY!
There are many to thank: First, this would not be possible without all of YOU, our Wesley family who plied us with a store full of candy and treats. You really stepped-up this year and yup, it’s pretty much all gone. We praise our many volunteers who put up their cars and handed out treats. That’s dedicating almost five hours. I personally have high praise for Roy and Hannah Takeuchi, our nonagenarians, who love being around all these kids and this year had their son Doug and his wife, Ellen Takeuchi doing up their car trunk. Roy exuded joy in his costume and it was infectious.
Taking the prize for best costume were Hector and Bev Acuna with their Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory themed car. Hector was of course Willy Wonka and Bev was hilarious as an Oompa Loompa. Barbara Mulford assisted them as the Egyptian princess. The show-stopper was the Missions car with a unique display of dolls and gyrating skeletons put-up by John Tanaka, Judie Kanemoto, Judy Yasutake and Bev Lovaas. New to our lot this year was our Paleontology car full of dinasours, a Jurasic world, from Terri Thornton (office admin) and Jeffrey Roloff. Returning after a several year hiatus, was Shizuko and Wayne Adachi sporting Arabian Nights outfits. Jill and Jeremy Aragaki were a mix Sponge Bob and Square Pants going for them. Mimune and Mieko Tsukamoto, along with Akiko Buchanan, and Mayumi Miyakawa were traditional witches. Joining them were Akiko and Jeff Gordon. Jim and Joy Baylor were also sporting the witch and wizard theme. We also had Terri Koike as Abe Lincoln and Cynthia Fukuda as a black bear; and finally, we had Mark Teagle as Charlie Brown and Barbara Hiura as Snoopy at the Peanuts car showing “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Hats off to our dedicated church members and their cars.
Doing a lot of the heavy lifting and working behind the scenes were Kelli Martines, co-event chair, who did signage and provided sandwiches and drinks for all the participants; our candy and toy runners, Ryan Miyahara and Brenda Gee, photographer and treat-runner, Hikaru Bakoshi, and to Mark for all the electrical hook-ups supplied to each car. Yes, it takes a Village and of course God smiled upon all of us.
Our 5th Street parking lot was overflowing with children and family’s trick or treating.
Jake Shimada (white t shirt) and the SJSU Car Club were in the Garden parking lot.
Best Costume, Hector and Bev Acuna as Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Roy and Hannah were adorable with their horse and pumpkin costumes shown with Ellen and Doug Takeuchi.
Posted in Newsletter 2025-11-20