Halloween is taking some pandemic hits, but it looks like this particular high holy day of New Paltz is not going to be cancelled. Town youth director Jim Tinger brought village trustees up to speed on plans to adapt the community’s most popular holiday to a world where masks must cover breathing holes and where it’s not safe for people to congregate. The need for ghastly ghouls, political commentary and processed sugar is compelling.
The customs of collecting candy and perusing carved pumpkins in Hasbrouck Park will continue, and the annual youth-center haunted house might be held in some form as well.
One option for the park is “trunk or treat,” during which costumed characters would obtain their candy fix by helping themselves from the backs of cars. Those cars would be spaced along the angled parking spots on Tricor Avenue, and the drivers would be expected to decorate the trunks themselves with the same zeal given to parade costumes and yard decor in other years. Tinger said that 17 vehicles could be lined up at a safe distance, and suggested that setting up tables for self-serve candy near the decorated vehicles might make things go more smoothly.
Another possible way to get candy into bags would be to set up a maze in the park itself, in which would be located tables laden with treats and costumed characters as well. A photo station to capture the moment might also be included. David Santner has advised Tinger that while the “Night of 100 Pumpkins” carving contest will not be held at the Bakery, it would be possible to provide a great jack-o’-lantern show at the park.
Trustees felt that the middle school, another potential site Tinger said was being considered, was preferable to them because of its location in the village core.
Any sort of trick-or-treating can be seen as a high-risk activity, but, as deputy mayor KT Tobin noted, “details matter.” Trustees are proceeding on the assumption that children will want to go out in some way, and that carefully orchestrated events could lower the congestion on village streets. Halloween is on a Saturday this year.
Any park event would have to be by reservation to ensure traffic is limited, Tinger said. That will also be the case for the haunted attraction that will be set up on the grounds of the youth center. State guidance imposes strict controls on attendance and social distancing. That’s why this year’s offering will be set up entirely outdoors.
The village board was supportive, with Alex Wojcik saying that this report “made me feel so normal.” More decisions will be needed in the coming weeks.
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