Businesses get creative to celebrate Halloween safely this year
From trick or treat drive-thrus to scavenger hunts, businesses offer alternative ways to celebrate
Halloween is still a go this year, but with COVID-19 restrictions in place, some businesses around the region are getting creative with how people can still mark the occasion safely.
Bingemans and the National Service Dogs are among some businesses who will be hosting a trick or treat drive-thru on Oct. 31.
Families will be able to drive around to different stations across the Bingemans' campgrounds. Volunteers at each station will hand out treats and candy following public health guidelines. Registration is full for this event.
The National Service Dogs will host their trick or treat drive thru at the Lowe's Home Improvement Store parking lot on Conestoga Boulevard in Cambridge from 2 to 4 p.m.
Explore Waterloo Region also has a list of alternative Halloween activities on its website.Those include a spooky walk through the Doon Heritage Village, a trick or treat scavenger hunt at TheMuseum in downtown Kitchener or a Halloween drive-in movie night at On the Grand.
Families can also head to uptown Waterloo on Halloween and trick or treat door-to-door at businesses along King and Regina Streets, as well as on Princess, Erb and Dupont Streets.
Participating businesses will be handing out candy following public health guidelines. Organizers with the city's BIA have uploaded a map with participating businesses on their website.
Kitchener also has a list of alternative Halloween activities on its website, including tips on DIY activities and how to stay safe.
Families can head to any community centre in Kitchener, with the exception of the Williamsburg Community Centre, from Oct.29 to Oct.31 and take photos at the spooky outdoor Halloween displays and take home a bag of treats.
Other celebrations include several events at the Kitchener Market and a downtown Kitchener Halloween art walk and scavenger hunt.
Trick or treat still allowed
Waterloo region's acting medical officer of health, Dr. Hsui-Li Wang, said during a media briefing on Oct.13 that trick or treating is "not forbidden", but recommends residents stick to low risk activities, such as pumpkin decorating within a household or hosting virtual costume parties.
"Things could change ... from now until Halloween," she said. "I might make stronger recommendations. But at this time, I'm asking people to consider lower risk activities only."
Her advice for families who are planning to trick or treat this year: Keep physically distant from people outside your household and wear a face mask. For people handing out candy, Wang recommends people get creative, using items like a candy chute, tongs or even a hockey stick to get candy into bags.
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, said Halloween can still happen as long as people follow the rules.
She said families can creatively use different fabrics to turn a day-to-day face mask into part of a costume. She also recommends for families to stick to pre-packaged treats and to have hand sanitizer readily available.
Do you know about a Halloween event we missed? Email us the details.