Halloween Different This Year

Long Beach city officials encourage residents to find other ways to enjoy this year’s Halloween other than the traditional costume parties and door-to-door trick-or-treating.

The city has crafted new rules and issued guidance regarding having “spooktacularly safe” fun during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Activities not allowed include:

• Halloween gatherings, events or parties with non-household members, even if conducted outdoors.
• Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment and haunted house attractions.

Though legally allowed, city officials strongly discourage trick-or-treating this year.

“Door-to-door trick-or-treating should also be avoided as it can be very difficult to maintain proper physical distancing, ensure that everyone is appropriately masked to prevent disease spread and because sharing food is not recommended,” states a city-issued press release.

“‘Trunk-or-treating,’ where children go from car-to-car instead of door-to-door to receive treats, is also not recommended as it can be challenging to avoid crowding and sharing food.”

Halloween activities permitted include:

• Online parties/contests (e.g., costume or pumpkin carving.)
• Car parades, such as drive-by events or contests.
• Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters.
• Halloween-themed meals at outdoor restaurants.
• Halloween-themed art installations at outdoor museums.
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations.

Donna Sievers, president of the Bluff Heights Neighborhood Association, enjoys Halloween and bought 300 pieces of candy last year for children visiting her historic Craftsman house.

In addition, she, along with her husband Lee Apel, dressed up as a king and queen and attended a Halloween party across the street.

However, in the current pandemic, Sievers said she supports the city’s direction, as safety must come first.

“We can’t risk our lives over a piece of candy,” Sievers said. “We like Halloween but there will be another year.”

In the meantime, the Bluff Heights Neighborhood Association will hold a “spooktacular pet Halloween costume photo contest.”

Residents from the neighborhood can dress up their pets and submit photos via the association’s Facebook page or email, info@bluffheights.org.

The board will decide the winners and prizes include totes and T-shirts from Cats and Dogs veterinary hospital, $10 gift certificates from Tru Nature Juice Bar and $15 gift certificates from Petco Unleashed.

The deadline for entries is 3 p.m., Nov. 4.

Carl Goodman, who decorates his Lakewood Village home for Halloween, Christmas and Easter each year, put out his old-style witches, caldrons and all kinds of eclectic items in a rustic, campy display.

A giant spider hangs from the chimney, as a robot stands guard near the front door. A group of skeletons sit in chairs in the yard with decked-out topiary animals and balloons in the 4700 block of Autry Avenue.

Goodman gave out lots of candy last year.

“I had 246 kids come,” he said. “I counted them.”

Goodman said children would stop by on the way to the Arbor Road Church Fall Festival and then return afterwards.

“That was the fun, having kids laughing, cars driving by,” he said. “That’s why I decorate. That’s what I really enjoy.”

Goodman said this year he will turn off the front porch light to indicate no trick-or-treating. The decorations will stay up, however.

Meanwhile, as COVID-19 cases increase, the city reminds the public to always wear a face covering when outside and when around others not part of the household.

Avoid confined spaces and stay away from indoor spaces that do not allow for easy distancing of at least six feet.

Avoid close contact with others. Keep at least six feet away from people not part of the household, especially while talking, eating, drinking and singing.

Wash or sanitize hands often.

Avoid touching the face with unwashed hands.

Clean touched items regularly.

For those who are sick, or have come in contact with someone sick with COVID-19, or have symptoms of COVID-19, stay at home and away from others.

With the holiday season approaching, the city reiterates not to drink and drive or text while on the road.

“Remember that driving under the influence is more than drunk driving: It includes marijuana and some prescription and over-the-counter drugs, in addition to alcohol and illegal drugs,” a press release indicates. “The city also urges drivers to plan routes in advance and avoid texting or otherwise using a cell phone while driving.”

kirt@beachcomber.news