Michiana trunk-or-treaters enjoy busy Sunday in Mishawaka, South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Halloween continues to be one of the country's biggest retail events as American shoppers are projected to spend $13.5 billion in 2026, according to Capital One shopping research.

But, since the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems more families are starting to lean towards trunk-or-treat events and other community gatherings, rather than the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treat.

On Sunday, families were getting ready for the spookiest day of the year by attending different trunk-or-treat and other themed events throughout Michiana.

These kinds of events are perfect for parents like Jessica Sturgeon, who brought her kid to Mishawaka Post 360 for their annual trunk-or-treat.

"I feel like with the parents, it makes them feel safer because they're not out at night and they're in a safe environment, and it's all in one place with tables," Sturgeon said. "They're not having to walk as far, they're not having to drive to get to every single house. So I think a lot of parents feel like it's safer that way."

These events are becoming more of a theme, now, than ever before.

According to a new survey by Rocket companies, only 51% of families are taking their kids out on their own streets.

Which begs the question, has Halloween lost its luster?

For Unity of Michiana trunk-or-treat attendee, John Hardy, it has done the exact opposite.

"I don't think so," Hardy said. "I think in some respects it has gained more luster. You look at the decorations that are out now and the way these kids dress up, and it's more than we used to just put a sheet over ourselves and call ourselves a ghost."

Just a couple of cars down from Hardy, Timothy Simpson believes events like this serve their purpose, but he also misses the classic traditions.

"Yeah, the trunk-or-treat gives the parents a little bit more control over what the kids are exposed to and that sort of thing," Simpson said. "For my generation, the door-to-door trick-or-treating in the local neighborhoods was awesome."

For Halloween events throughout the South Bend and Mishawaka areas, click here.