As Halloween revelers attempted to navigate for tricks and treats during a pandemic that has made person-to-person contacts a ‘scary situation’, some groups, neighborhoods, and citizens got creative to keep the seasonal fun (and candy) flowing.
South of Penn Initiative’s Halloween celebration at the Reading Iron Playground in Reading. Community members and families painted pumpkins, gave out candy, and served pizza. Everyone had to wear a mask and all participants were readily provided with hand sanitizer.
‘Trunk or Treat’ at the Antietam Rec Center, organized by Antietam Valley Community Partnership. Social distancing, and allowing only a set number of costumed kids through the area at one time created long line waiting to get into the parking lot, but the rewards were sweet!
Lauren Little dressed as a witch and tries (no kids!) to give out candy on her block- Douglass and North 5th Street in Reading.
Social distanced trick or treating in Wyomissing Hills. Tables with bags were set out and restocked throughout the night by the Shanahan Family. Other neighbors got creative with caution tape with clothespins, and one house featured a “haunted yard” that allowed one group at a time to walk the trail around the backyard where people were hiding to give visitors a fright.
Squire Court featured a popular house in Wyomissing for Halloween-lovers of all ages. Cars lined up to see it, and the hosts stood on the porch, offering candy distribution that was contactless.
At the Pepper’s house in Shillington, Pam and her son Aiden sat on the porch and the candy was given up via a long tube for touch-free delivery! Trick-or-Treaters placed their container at the end of the tube and Pam put candy through it from the porch.
