Trunk or Treat + MeatFest 2025

A family-friendly evening packed with treats, eats, and festive competition.

Event Details

Join us on October 31st for one of our most-loved SJCS traditions! From decorated trunks and trick-or-treating to bounce houses, BBQ, and a little friendly competition—there’s something for everyone. Whether you're here to grill, game, or just gather with friends, this event brings our school community together in the best way.

Date: October 31st, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: 600 E. Marvin Ave. Waxahachie, TX 75165

A Little Sweet. A Little Smoky. A Whole Lot of Fun.

  • Enter MeatFest Competition

    Think you’ve got the best BBQ around? Enter your booth into our MeatFest competition for just $35 and serve up your best to the crowd.

  • Host a Trunk

    Bring the fun! Decorate your trunk, pass out candy, and compete for Most Creative Trunk. Setup starts at 4:00 PM.

  • Buy a Tasting Plate

    Come hungry!
    For $15, enjoy a plate with samples from every MeatFest booth. Tickets will be available for purchase at the event — no need to order ahead!

  • Fun Starts Here

    Tickets are $1 each and required for all activities.
    Each game or attraction will have its own ticket amount — see details under Activities.
    Tickets will be sold at the event.

Event Highlights

Here’s what to expect throughout the evening, from sizzling competition to candy-filled fun. Whether you’re joining for the food, the games, or the costumes, there’s something for everyone.

  • Judging Categories & Prizes:
    Best Flavor – Winner receives the plaque, apron, and a Traeger Grill 🎉
    Crowd Favorite – Winner receives an apron
    Most Creative Setup – Winner receives an apron
    Most Unique Entry – Winner receives an apron


    ✨ All participants get bragging rights and automatic entry into next year’s competition!

    What You’ll Cook:
    Grill whatever you’d like—no restrictions! Brisket, ribs, sausage, chicken, wild game—it’s all fair game. Bring your best.

    Serving Size & Sides:
    Each entry should prepare sample-size bites for guests to enjoy.
    No food permit needed.
    Side dishes will be coordinated through a Sign-Up Genius organized by SJCS and parish volunteers.

    Special Note for First Responders:
    We are so grateful for the men and women who serve our community, and we’d love to have you join us! First responder teams have no sign-up fee and can include as many members as they’d like. To register, please email Danni here.

    About That “Most Unique” Category…
    Whether it’s smoked alligator, bacon-wrapped brisket, or a creative family recipe, we want to see your boldest, most out-of-the-box entries. Surprise us!

    Bonus:
    A professional food judge will be on-site to help determine winners.

    👉 Register as an individual or team.
    👉 Entry fee includes booth space, a plate, and contest participation.

    • Trunk Setup Begins: 4:00 PM

    • Bring Enough Candy

    • Prize: Most Creative Trunk

    • Costume Contest

    • Bounce House - 2 Tickets

    • Games - 2 Tickets

    • Face Painting - 3-5 Tickets

    • Snow Cones- 2-Tickets

    • Scavenger Hunt - 2 Tickets

    • Trick-or-Treating for all -Free

Help Bring the Fun to Life

This event wouldn’t be possible without the helping hands and generous hearts of our SJCS community. Whether you’re great at grilling, love decorating, or just want to lend a hand—we have a spot for you!

Here’s how you can help:

  • Volunteer for the event

  • Donate candy or supplies

  • Become an event sponsor and have your business featured

  • Make a donation to support this event and future student programming

Every hour volunteered and every dollar donated helps us create joyful, enriching experiences for our students.

Sign up to volunteer → Join The Committee
Make a donation

FAQs

  • The event starts at 5:30 PM. If you're hosting a trunk or competing in MeatFest, please arrive by 4:00 PM for setup.

  • Preordering is encouraged (especially for plate service and activity tickets), but we will have sales at the event too. Cash, card, and mobile payments accepted!

  • Each team will have a booth space that includes one setup table and two chairs provided by the school. You’re welcome to bring your own awning or extra setup items if you’d like.

    The school will supply all plates, utensils, and napkins for serving. Booths will be numbered — that number is how guests will vote for Crowd Favorite. You can make a small sign explaining what you cooked or simply share it as people visit your booth.

    If you’re bringing a side dish, please drop it off at one of the two side dish tables (location to be announced — either at the start or end of the meat line).

  • You can still make an impact! We welcome donations and event sponsorships to help cover candy, supplies, and student enrichment. Visit the link at the bottom of this page to contribute.

  • Absolutely! This is a community-wide event—invite grandparents, neighbors, and friends. The more, the merrier.

  • Costumes are encouraged (and celebrated!). Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume by Age Group. Just make sure they’re school-appropriate and safe for active play.

  • Yes! In addition to our MeatFest tasting plates, we’ll have hot dog combo meals (hot dog, chips, drink) available for $5. Come hungry!

  • Parking is available at the main St. Joseph Catholic Church lot. It’s just next door to the school

Ready to sign up, snack up, or show up?

Use the quick links below to grab your tickets, sign up, or pitch in behind the scenes.

| 🍗 | Enter the MeatFest Competition
Sign up to grill solo or with a team.

| 🎃 | Host a Trunk
Deck it out. Candy provided. Prizes awarded!

| 🍽️ | Preorder Your Tasting Plate
$15 to sample every booth—come hungry.

| 🎟️ | Buy Activity Tickets
$1 each for bounce house, games, and more.

| 🙋‍♀️ |  Sponsor
Suport our event

| 📋 | Join the Planning Committee
Help bring the event to life.

| 🙋‍♀️ | Volunteer To Help

Be a part of the magic.

| ❓ | General Questions 
Reach out—we’re happy to help.

💛 Can’t attend but want to support? Donate to SJCS

Questions?

Contact the SJCSA Events Team at dannimacmaster@gmail.com

📸 Tag us in your photos: @SJCSWaxahachie
🏷 Use #SJCSMeatFest to be featured on Instagram