LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Whether you're in it for the candy or the costumes, communities impacted by the March tornado are coming together to celebrate their rebuilding efforts.
And, of course, Halloween.
Thousands trunk-or-treated through Dupree Park in Jacksonville just seven months after an EF3 tornado damaged it.
Megan Tharp manages Jacksonville's parks and rec events and is proud to show off how the community showed up.
"We have been begging and pleading with the world to let us back in Dupree Park. It's one of our favorite places to be," Tharp said, "The fire and police departments are out here. They always show up for us."
But the fact the city opened storm-damaged areas of the park just weeks ago might be the most significant treat of all for residents.
"It's Dupree Park; this is where everything is," Jacksonville resident Nick Rodriguez said. "This is where we come to have fun, take our dogs out, watch soccer games, football games, baseball games. I mean, this is a definite staple of Jacksonville."
Meanwhile, in Little Rock's Walnut Valley neighborhood, HOA board member Angela Mull is determined to keep the Halloween spirit alive.
"Even if we don't have very many trick-or-treaters, the most important part is resuming those activities that make you feel at home," Mull said. "We're just back at home again."
According to Mull, the tornado pushed out half of the neighborhood, which keeps most of her street dark, but her spirit for the holiday and community remains bright.
"It just brings joy, especially on hard days when you have contractors, and your house is unfinished, or you're seeing your neighbors not come back," Mull said. "To hear a trick-or-treat means that all is not lost. We're rebuilding. We're back here."
And while groups of trick-or-treaters will make anyone smile, for neighborhoods looking for a sense of normalcy, sometimes all you need is one kid to say three words...
Trick-or-treat.