Nothing like a pandemic to put a wrinkle in Halloween — and not the good kind found at the end of a witch’s warty nose.
As COVID-19 continues to grip the country, federal, state and local health officials are all advising against holiday traditions in favor of alternative celebrations to limit the risk spread of and exposure to the virus. Trick-or-treating, costume parties and haunted houses are all on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of high-risk activities.
The Colorado Department of Health and Environment earlier this month posted Halloween tips and tricks to its website, and while it doesn’t specifically state no trick-or-treating, the state health department is advising against doing so.
In a story earlier this month, the Denver Post reported that Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the state health department, said she is concerned increased social mixing around Halloween could lead to more cases as the state is experiencing a “third wave” of infections.
Those concerns, as well as safety guidelines limiting the size of gatherings, have led to a number of cancellations including the Longmont Halloween Parade, which went to a drive-thru format that was canceled, too, because of issues with the venue.
Boulder County Public Health has not issued its own set of Halloween guidelines and advice but has shared the state health department’s advisory via social media. And earlier this week the health department warned that rising COVID case numbers could force the county to move to the more restrictive Safer at Home Level 3 status on the state’s dial system.
Rob Spendlow, interim Longmont Public Safety chief, in an email said, “We continue to urge the community to step up and help reduce the number of cases we are seeing in Boulder County. Every little bit helps in reducing the spread of COVID. Longmont Public Safety is recommending activities that can be held within your own homes such as hosting a scavenger hunt with immediate family members, carving pumpkins, watching funny or scary movies, making Halloween themed pizzas, and hosting a virtual Halloween costume contest.
“We know there are a lot of creative Longmont residents,” Spendlow said.
One of those creative residents is Andrea Washburn.
The parent of three teens ages 13, 16, 18, who also has parental rights for her grandkids ages 1 and 2, said she decided in September she wasn’t going to let the pandemic “take away the imagination and excitement” of Halloween from her little ones. So she organized a family friendly party full of games and fun and at which kids can trick-or-treat to haul in candy and other treats from known adults. Keeping it to her friends and neighbors not only means the chance for a socially distanced holiday celebration, but also that kids and adults alike can know the goodies in children’s plastic pumpkins and pillowcases are safe to eat, she said.
While Washburn’s party is limited to her east Longmont neighborhood, there are other options for those looking for a ghoulishly good time. In an attempt to help readers have a boo-tiful Halloween, the Leader set out to round up some local happenings for the holiday weekend and beyond. Please note this list likely is not comprehensive but does include all the events we could find except for a few we weren’t sure were open to the general public or those that were already sold out. One way to discover if there are more events in your neighborhood is to search “Longmont Halloween” on Facebook and see what pops up.
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Tigger bounces around the Longmont Civic Center. (Courtesy photo)Friday
- Last Men on Earth will play a Halloween show at the Dickens Opera House. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show by the band that plays hits from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond will start at 8 p.m. Only 50 tickets will be sold. Attendees must wear masks until they are seated. Dancing won’t be allowed and there will only be table service. Learn more and make reservations here.
- Outworld Brewing will hold a night of Halloween trivia from 7 to 10 p.m. Learn more here.
- Terror in the Corn at Anderson Farms (yes, we know it’s technically not in Longmont, but it’s close by), will be open Friday and Saturday. Timed tickets are $30. Anderson Farms’ Zombie Paintball Hunt also will be open Friday and Saturday. Timed tickets are $27. Learn more and purchase tickets here. The farm’s corn maze and pumpkin patch also will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $12 and includes a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, a trip through the 25-acre corn maze, the Kiddie Korral playground, the Combine Slide, pedal karts and farm animals. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
- Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and offers pumpkin painting for $6 a person and trips through Uncle Oscar’s Hay Maze for $1 per person. Learn more here.
- 300 Suns Brewing is offering a new take on the costume contest. Visit the brewery Friday or Saturday, take a selfie in your costume and post it to Facebook or Instagram and tag it with 300 Suns (@300sunsbrewing) along with hashtag #300sunsboo. The favorite costume will be awarded a $40 gift card, with second place scoring a $20 card and third place a $10 card. More details here.
The hay bale maze at Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch. (Photo by Matt Maenpaa)Saturday
- Ya Ya Farm & Orchard will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and will host a local artist to assist visitors in painting some gorgeous gourds. Ya Ya promises to provide “the most funky gourds imaginable” and will provide all the supplies along with hot mulled cider and apple cider donuts for inspiration. The cost is $12 and all ages are welcome, but those who plan to attend are asked to email in advance: [email protected]. For more information, click here.
- Spellbinders will spin spooky stories from 4 to 5 p.m. in a Longmont Public Library virtual event. The presentation is “especially for school-age kids … and anyone who enjoys a little shiver on Halloween,” according to the event posting. Registration is required and can be completed here. Once registered, participants will receive an email confirmation with information about joining the Webex event.
- Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch’s Pumpkin Carnival is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature pony and animal train car rides, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, a hay maze, a cornstalk tunnel and the dragon roller coaster. Admission is free and activities can be paid for individually. Learn more here.
- The Boos & Brews Halloween 5K, part of the Colorado Brewery Running Series, will start at 9 a.m. at Wibby Brewing. “Costumes are highly encouraged, and prizes will be awarded for the best male, female, group and dog costume,” according to a post about the event. Start windows will be available from 9 to 11 a.m. and each runner/walker will need to start during their 15-minute start wave window. Participants are asked not to arrive to check-in more than 15 minutes before their selected start time. Registration is $30 plus a $4.52 fee. Learn more and register here.
- Longmont Nazarene Church will hold a Halloween Trunk or Treat from 5 to 8 p.m. Candy will be handed out from 30 to 50 vehicles. Masks are required. Learn more here.
- House of Cellista will present an hour of Halloween Night Ghost Stories starting at 7:30 p.m. at 734 Gay St. The tales will be told by members of the Porchfront Theatre Collective. “Bring a chair, a mask, a blanket and a beverage. Enjoy an hour of fear and laughter while practicing social distancing.” Learn more here.
- Led Zeppelin and AC/DC cover band Stairway to Hell will hold the Rock (Climbing) and Roll Halloween Bash from 3 to 6 p.m. at Longmont Climbing Collective. Learn more here.
- The Desert Furs will play two sets at La Vita Bella cafe. The music also will be livestreamed. Learn more here.
Traditional dancers perform at last year's Longmont Museum Dia de los Muertos celebration. (Photo courtesy of Longmont Museum)Sunday
- Longmont’s virtual Day of the Dead celebration will be livestreamed from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on the Longmont Museum’s Facebook page, Longmont Public Media and on Comcast channels 8 and 880. The celebration will feature local performers including singing Mexican trio, Las Dahlias; Grupo Folklorico Mexico Lindo dance, mariachi, poetry by bicultural community leader Laura Soto and more.
Photo by Sabina Music Rich on UnsplashWednesday
- Longmont’s own international ghost hunter, Richard Estep, will share new stories of ghosts, poltergeists and mysterious happenings in “Coast to Coast Ghosts” in Longmont Library virtual event from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Estep is a paranormal investigator, Stanley Hotel tour guide, television personality, and the founder of the Boulder County Paranormal Research society. He has authored 23 fiction and nonfiction titles including “Haunted Longmont.” The program is best for those ages 16 or older, according to the library. The event is free, but registration is required and can be completed here. Those without internet access or an email address can call 303-651-8472 to register by phone.
