Despite the pandemic, Halloween is scheduled to go on in Garretson, and the Garretson Commercial Club is encouraging all participants to remain safe.
A Trunk or Treat will be held by the Garretson Commercial Club at Split Rock Park, and they are inviting the Garretson community to participate and create a “spooky trail.” It will be held on Saturday, October 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Each vehicle will be asked to park in a campsite prior to the start of the event, and can decorate that site as much as they like along with decorating their vehicle.
Commercial Club President John Brinkman notes that the set-up will be free, and available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but for those who wish to set up the day before or claim a specific campsite, he recommends heading to SplitRockParkCampground.com and reserving a campsite and paying the fee. Any of the sites prior to the parking lot will be available for use as long as it’s not reserved, with RV sites going first. All vehicles and participants will be encouraged to spread out as much as possible.
Once set-up is complete, the community is invited to trick or treat along the trail.
For the safety of all, face coverings over the mouth and nose will be expected from all participants.
The Commercial Club encourages the community to have fun with masks this year, whether you’re at the Trunk or Treat, Hike of Horrors, or trick or treating around town.
A normal costume mask is no substitute for a cloth or surgical mask, according to the CDC, unless it is made from two or more layers of fabric and leaves no gaps around the mouth and nose.
Trick or treating around Garretson is still slated to occur, with community members excited to continue a long-standing tradition. Normally, most porch lights come on around 6:00 p.m. and turn off by 8:00 p.m.
Despite the CDC listing trick or treating as a high-risk activity due to coming into contact with several different people, there are plenty of measures people can take to help reduce that risk. Getting creative and implementing ideas such as transforming the front yard into a “candy graveyard” and allowing youth to hunt for a piece of candy, using PVC pipe to pass candy, or having pre-wrapped “goody bags” for youth to grab on their own from a six-foot or more distance can reduce face-to-face contact. The more participants who wear masks, the safer it will be. Trick or treaters are encouraged to reduce the size of their groups, to use hand sanitizer regularly, and to refrain from going indoors.
For those not able or willing to participate in the higher-risk activities, different ideas such as an at-home scavenger hunt, movie night, and pumpkin carving have been suggested.
The key is to be creative and have fun while keeping the community safe, and to be understanding if friends or neighbors opt out this year to help reduce their risk.
The Commercial Club also wants to remind the community that the events are weather permitting, and if a large outbreak were to occur in Garretson prior to Halloween, that events may be canceled for the safety of all.
