As Halloween slowly creeps up, people all over the country are left wondering what to do this Oct. 31. Trick or treat, pumpkin patches, and haunted houses are not the same this fall season due to COVID-19. So, how is everyone going to celebrate one of the nation’s greatest holidays? 

   Westerville has announced the approval of trick-or-treating on Oct. 31, and several pumpkin patches, apple orchards and haunted houses are still open to the public. 

   Many people are still trying to find ways to have fun during this Halloween season. 

   Brynn Blackstone, a senior, has been able to do many activities like going to Lynd Fruit Farm and carving jack-o-lanterns.

   Blackstone explained that she is going to spend her Halloween like every other year. 

   ¨[I will be] watching scary movies and carving pumpkins,¨ Blackstone said. 

   While many teens are finding ways to have fun, many parents struggle with how to approach this strange Halloween. Christine Moore, mother of five children, explained her plans for this annual trick-or-treat. 

   Trick or treat is expected to be very different from past years, so many people plan to pass out candy with no contact. Normally, the person directly hands out to the kids. However, with COVID-19, the best thing everyone can do is prevent the spread of germs. 

   Moore plans to take these similar precautions.

   ¨[I will put] candy in trick-or-treaters’ bags instead of allowing them to pick,” Moore said.

   Businesses are also struggling to find ways to celebrate. 

   Kerri Ward, Senior Director of Marketing, Brand Communications and Community for Easton Town Center says that Easton normally puts on a Fall Festival and Pet Parade for the community members. 

   Unfortunately there are too many people for this event. Easton, although very large is unable to hold a celebration that would allow for hundreds to be able to social distance and follow guidelines. 

   ¨[Easton] went online, and there’s a pet costume contest with iHeartMedia,¨ Ward explained. 

   ¨You can enter your pet for the next two weeks, and then there’s a week of public voting, and then we announce the winner on Halloween,¨ Ward said. 

This is just one of the few ways Ward and other Easton employees have altered their normal plans for the holiday. 

   Being able to dress up in a costume is one of the biggest joys of Halloween. Many are unfortunately not able to do so because their city may not allow trick-or-treating, and many parties are either restricted or banned. 

   Blackstone says she still plans to wear a costume this year. 

   ¨It is fun, and even though I don’t plan to go out, I still want to do it,” she explained.

   However, many kids are left wondering what they are going to do for this Halloween season. Ward suggested a virtual runway and/or schools allowing kids to dress up for the day. 

    ¨Halloween is such a great holiday to be able to dress up as someone else,¨ Ward expressed.

   Halloween is a holiday that has been celebrated for many years. However, COVID-19 has led to many cities not allowing trick-or-treating, restricting Halloween costume parties and canceling annual festivals for those who celebrate. 

   Despite the recent changes, many people are still thankful for the opportunity to celebrate.

   ¨I am grateful that my children are permitted to enjoy this tradition,” Moore said.

  Whether it is watching horror movies, carving pumpkins, eating tons of candy or dressing up as your favorite character, community members all over Westerville are trying to make the most of Halloween 2020.