Beggars’ Night
A few years ago, the City Council adopted a resolution that sets Beggars’ Night on October 30th from 6 – 8 p.m. As always, residents may choose to participate by keeping the front door light on at their residence. Likewise, parents should decide if they will allow their children to participate in any Halloween activities in the community.
Recently, the CDC announced it considers trick-or-treating a high-risk activity. They ask that anyone involved in Halloween activities do so in observance of CDC guidelines and lower the risk of spreading the COVID-19 respiratory virus.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Halloween, it is important to keep health and safety top of mind - this includes social distancing, face coverings, and hand washing.
If you wish to consider celebrating the holiday in another manner, here are some alternative suggestions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween.
There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween.
If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Lower Risk Activities include:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house.
Have a safe and happy Halloween!