Halloween Cancelled

Halloween is Cancelled?

By Casey Ann Patterson

Unfortunately, I have heard Halloween 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID19. Where I live in Upstate NY within this last week, we have seen an uprise in people suffering from COVID19. The NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo has started dividing the effected areas into zones. With an uprise in COVID cases we now have yellow (some cases of COVID), orange (medium cases of COVID) and red zones (lots of COVID cases). I work and live on the cusp of a yellow zone. As autumn fills the air and Pumpkins and cider arrived on our shelves in my Grocery store my attention is drawn to the giant bags of candy still sitting in our displays. With COVID cases on the rise in our area, so far the only function that I know of that hasn’t been cancelled is our local trunk or treat and during this yearly activity, and participants are being asked to stay in their cars. I believe as we get closer to the eve that all children and adults look forward to besides Christmas, we will see more restrictions and children may be asked to refrain from traditional trick or treating.

It does not matter what part of the country you are in as we get closer to October 31st you may hear of more and more restrictions added to your area. With all these possibilities what could you do instead? I plan on grabbing some cider, a pumpkin and snacks and stay home, carve my pumpkin, and hunker down to watch some of my favorite horror flicks and hope no one knocks for treats. If you want to be prepared incase you get those few brave souls who may choose to disobey any ordinance out right for that night. I’m sure you will be advised not to answer the door, but in case you are given the freedom to choose to answer trick or treaters please wear medical masks or cloth masks when answering the door ask children to stand bac while you fill a serving dish with wrapped candy for the appropriate amount of brave souls and walk it half way to them and go back to your door. I looked on Amazon this year and found 48 hand sanitizer single use packets for 9$ I may buy these and hand them out with treats along with printed safety measures to take while trick or treating. I will only not answer my door if told to do so by local authorities. In that case I will tally up friends’ kids and make special treat bags to be given at any time.

Some ideas for you and your family include dinner, cider, and donuts movie night. Make a spooky version of your family’s favorite meals. everyone could dress up as their favorite movie characters and watch the movies with your kids. This can be followed by Halloween games such as bobbing for apples and pumpkin carvings. Just because Traditional Halloween may be canceled does not mean you cannot be creative! If you have the energy you can even throw in a memorable craft. Also be sure to take plenty of pictures for precious memories, and to share with family members and friends. Regardless of the restrictions placed in your area, does not mean Halloween must be cancelled. With a little bit of research and a little imagination you can adapt and reform how you spend your Holiday to meat all the safety guidelines placed in your area.

Below are some links to family fun stay at home Ideas for you. I especially like the article on popsugar.com.

https://www.popsugar.com/family/at-home-halloween-activities-and-costum es-for-fa milies-47797311

and https://thriftylittlemom.com/2014/10/23/5-ideas-great-stay-home-halloween/