There were many happy children, and parents, when the Eagle Grove City Council, and the Eagle Grove Chamber of Commerce, announced Halloween Trick-or-Treating would be allowed this year in Eagle Grove. It is a time-honored tradition in our community for kids to parade up and down Broadway, showing off their costumes and collecting lots of candy from store owners and their employees who enjoy the creativity of the children during this fun time of year. Due to COVID-19, there were many that wondered if this would happen. Well, it is, but they are laying out guidelines of how it will be done this year to assure the safety of all participants. They strongly recommend that you follow these guidelines and remind us there will be plenty of time for all to get their treats but still stay socially distanced.
Both children and parents are asked to please wear masks and bring hand sanitizer. Don’t like the traditional face masks? Well now’s the time to get creative with them. J&J Sports have some plain white and black ones that can be dyed, bedazzled, drawn on…how cool would that be to make your own Halloween mask?!
Ben Franklin also has some pretty cool face coverings that can show off your fun side be it llamas, cherries, or something else. Not only are you getting creative and keeping yourself and others safe, but you’re supporting a local business as well with your purchase.
The first and biggest change to the Downtown Halloween Walk will take place at the staring point – The Eagle Grove Memorial Library. Children WILL NOT go inside the building this year to pick up their bags/treats and have their pictures taken. INSTEAD, they will set up a station outside the building and have pre-bagged treats ready to be picked up. Again, please do not crowd together – keep six feet between you and the next family. From there, head down the south side of the street from the library to the gazebo park, where there will be a treat table and photo booth with a photographer for free family pictures. Wait with plenty of space between families. After you get your photo taken in the photo booth at the gazebo, carefully cross the street and head back through downtown on the north side.
As you go up and down the streets, be it for the Downtown Walk on Friday, Oct. 30, or the town Beggar’s Night on Saturday, Oct. 31, please make sure your family stays back at least a six foot distance between the group in front of you.
“If the group in front of you stops, keep that distance of six feet,” said Chamber Director Sara Middleton.
For the businesses and families handing out candy either night, make sure to protect yourselves, too.
Get creative…set individual treats on a table that’s all decked out in Halloween fun and decorations so the child can pick up a piece of candy without touching one that someone else will touch. If you would rather hand the candy out yourself, place it directly into the Trick-or-Treaters bag rather than letting them reach into a bowl and get it themselves. Either way, please note that all items must be individually wrapped. No homemade goods. Again, it’s important that everyone take time to sanitize surfaces and hands often throughout the night.
This may be a very different Halloween, but sometimes great ideas come out of necessity. Like I wrote in my column, “For What It’s Worth,” last week, Kate Porter posted a great idea on social media. Let’s all follow her lead. Let’s make this the best Halloween ever for our kids to show them some sense of normalcy and that things can indeed be great if you put your mind to it in times of tribulation. She suggested we GO BIG. Decorate your houses and yards like never before. Play scary music. Dress up to hand out your candy. Give BIG candy bars. Give treats to the adults as well. Be creative. Be safe. Be responsible, and everyone can enjoy a Halloween to remember.
Downtown will have a Halloween hunt from Oct. 24-31 in store windows, on buildings, and all around. Be on the lookout and count how many silly monster eyes you can find!
