Halloween is shaping up to look a bit different than usual. On local listservs and Facebook groups, residents are discussing how (and whether) to celebrate Halloween. Meanwhile, the DC Department of Health recently released its official guidance on how to safely celebrate Halloween this year—listing traditional trick-or-treating as a high-risk activity. So where does that leave Halloween-lovers?
To provide a safer option for the neighborhood, several members of the community, including ANC Commissioners Christine Miller (1A05) and Angelica Castañon (1A06), have teamed up to organize a socially-distant Costume Walk on October 31 from 4-7pm.
“We both know how much COVID has upended the lives of all our kids. Everything they should be doing—going to school, playing with their friends, celebrating birthdays—has radically changed and Halloween is one more experience that they aren’t able to enjoy in the same way,” explained Christine Miller (1A05). “We want to give them a little something by setting-up a Halloween activity that is as close to normal as we can get while still keeping it safe…and socially distanced.”
The Costume Walk is a chance for kids to show off their Halloween costumes, walk a spooky path, and get some safe treats from neighbors and businesses.
Different from a parade, a Costume Walk does not have a single start or end point making it easier for participants to social distance. Community members begin from their own residences and can explore along the route at their own pace.
Spooky candy stations will be set up at several locations along the Costume Walk route with pre-packaged candy laid out on each table. Organizers are asking participants to maintain social distancing when approaching the candy stations. Community volunteers will be working at each table to help with restocking but will not be distributing the candy bags.
11th & Bark, a local nonprofit that helps advocate for the Columbia Heights Dog Park, will be decorating the Columbia Heights Dog Park and distributing treat bags for humans and their canine companions. In previous years, 11th & Bark has organized the Annual Halloween Dog Costume Contest. Due to COVID-19 safety concerns, this year’s Dog Costume Contest is canceled.
Goblins, ghouls, and ghosts (wearing masks) will be walking along the route to help keep participants safe, enforce social distancing, and provide some added fun. The organizers are still looking for volunteers to help decorate and work the candy stations. If you are interested in volunteering, you can learn more and sign up here.
