Halloween Not Cancelled

Halloween Not Cancelled

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

“Halloween has not been cancelled,” stated Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee emphatically during the Sept. 22 legislative committee meeting.

MacPhee said he didn’t know how the rumour started, but he quickly put an end to the gossip. He said the town would be allowing trick or treating in the town between the hours of 4 and 8 pm on October 31.

Phil Rowe, Community Services Director for the Town of Vegreville, said he worked with Family & Community Support Services, and their counterparts, to come up with ideas on how to safely proceed with the time-honoured tradition in the community.

A set of guidelines has been developed and were outlined by Rowe in a report to council. “All trick or treaters should be off the streets and at home or parental care by 8:15 pm. Trick or treaters remaining/visiting at family or cohort homes after 8:15 pm is acceptable.

The guidelines also included tips about residents clearly identifying their house as accepting trick or treaters with decorations. “This can be done with decorations or a well-lit house. If you are not accepting trick or treaters, please turn off lights.”

There are tips for residents regarding prepackaged treats, sanitation, face masks, and physical distancing.

Children are advised to only go to houses that are decorated or well-lit, to sanitize hands between home visits or wear gloves, andpractice physical distancing between other trick or treaters while waiting at homes.

He stated, “The health & safety of your children is of most importance to the Town of Vegreville; however, some onus must be put on the parents to ensure the guidelines are followed.” Parents were advised to travel with children to ensure the physical distancing and sanitization, incorporate a mask into the costume if possible, inspect all candy before allowing your child to consume, consider wiping down any candy that is not bagged, and discard any candy that is not prepackaged.

Coun. Marielle Brodziak said the Vegreville & District Chamber of Commerce is looking at some ideas for Halloween. Chamber Manager Michelle Henderson did confirm they are looking at options for Halloween.

Mayor MacPhee said he always looks forward to Halloween and will be packaging bags with gloves on and wearing a face mask. He said the guidelines were good, but that parents know what’s best for their children, and they can’t make their decisions.

“Personally, I will be taking every precaution, and coming up with a very unique way to get those bags into the hands of children. I think it’s a tradition we can keep going and with a little bit of work, a little bit more thought by homeowners and parents, and take that extra step we can have a very successful Halloween.”

Coun. Taneen Rudyk said, “I want to make sure we don’t forget about the seniors who do need to have a little bit of joy. So it’s not just the kids and their parents, it’s for some of our seniors who make up a huge proportion of our community, and make sure they are able to physical distance in a joyful way at a time a lot of them look forward to.”