Halloween during COVID-19

Text by NAOMI BONEH and TARA KOTHARI Halloween,

Art by SELENA CAO reanimated

HOLIDAY FACES SPOOKY DISTORTIONS

SHROUDED BY ROLLING fog, “Fall is our busiest time of the year elementary school teachers and students

a man dances with a skeleton next for all the businesses here, especially vis- will be back in the classroom in cohorts to witches and other costumed itor businesses,” Beeman says. “Whether on Oct. 26, younger children will likely partygoers as pounding EDM you’re an independent artist, a musician, be able to celebrate in person the week of plays in the background. The excited one of the community organizations that Halloween — which will take place on a spectators — Palo Alto residents — move raises money — all of these groups rely Saturday this year. on to visit various makeshift booths with on the festival for revenue generation. It In addition, Halloween enthusiast mini-exhibits, passing by lanky towers [the cancellation] is going to have a ma- and Palo Alto resident Brian Carilli still of jack-o-lanterns and festive attendants jor impact on the full economy here.” plans to celebrate this year, and is preparhanding out giant candy bars. Many are devastated that the mem- ing for a unique Halloween filled with

These festivities, paired with the im- orable events at the festival — in partic- safe and entertaining surprises. mensely long lines, make up the typical ular, the Great Pumpkin Parade and 10k “I got this train … And my hope is Halloween scene in front of former Apple Pumpkin Run — as well as the world- that I'll have a little cart I'll design that CEO Steve Jobs’ house. Every year, the class art displays, music and food will will tip the candy into their bag,” Carilli performances, displays and lavish good- cease. However, Beeman says that the says. “So it would be socially distanced ies draw crowds of Palo Alto residents on festival’s board of directors is actively and I'll have the sidewalk marked out to Halloween night to Jobs’ and other Sil- fundraising to donate to nonprofits and try to keep them [the kids] so that they

icon Valley figures’ houses. However, due to COVID-19 regulations, children and other Halloween “I'm just hoping that ... we can give them [the kids] something they make up for part of the revenue lost. Spooky at school For children in elementary school, don't bunch around … but I am not expecting the 500 kids we usually get.” Carilli is aware that his traditionally elaborate Halloween plans will be even more difficult to pull off this year, but he says at the end of the day, making the enthusiasts will be can remember.” Halloween represents kids happy is worth all the hard work.

missing out on these a particularly thrill- “My biggest kick is to see the little

traditional dazzling — BRIAN CARILLI, Palo Alto resident ing opportunity to ones when they see what's going on —

celebrations. Health of- show off costumes and it’s the big wide eyes that are my payoff,” ficials in the Bay Area stated in mid-Sep- devour candy to their heart’s content — Carilli says. “When I'm setting it up I tember that trick-or-treating is “strongly and to their arteries’ dismay. One of the always wonder ‘Why the heck am I dodiscouraged,” citing difficulties with so- many schools with special Halloween ing this?’ ... But once I see all the little cial distancing and the increased like- celebrations is El Carmelo Elementary kids running around and having a good lihood of large gatherings. Halloween School, where students excitedly gather time, it makes it worth putting all the events, including carnivals and parties, for a schoolwide parade. time into getting it set up. I'm just hopwill also be prohibited. “The kids are all really excited, and ing that even though it's going to be so it’s very much a huge celebration,” socially distanced, we can give

Canceled festivities says Lori Beasley, a second grade teacher them [the kids]

Among many celebrations that were at El Carmelo. “And afterwards we come something they canceled this year, one that has affected back into the classroom and we get into can remember.” v several people in the Bay Area is the Half a circle, and everybody has a chance to Moon Bay Pumpkin and Art Festival, stand up and go into the middle of the one of California’s largest local festivals. circle and tell us who they are. And then

According to Tim Beeman, spokes- they spin around so we can see the whole person for Miramar Events — an event costume.” management company that organizes To maintain classroom traditions multiple local festivals — the Half Moon this year, Beasley plans to send her many Bay Pumpkin and Art Festival draws Halloween books home to her students families from all around Northern Cal- so that they can still read and listen to ifornia and raises half a million dollars scary stories throughout October. As the every year for nonprofits. plan approved by the school board means