Health officials say trick-or-treating is high risk. Here are some Boise alternatives
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant big changes for iconic Boise events.
Treefort postponed its March festival, then postponed again. The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic was called off. The Boise State football team won’t take the field until the end of October.
Now, a new change: Trick-or-treating may not look like it used to.
The Centers for Disease Control announced last week that traditional trick-or-treating is a “higher-risk activity,” much like crowded costume parties held indoors and haunted houses. Later in the week, the Central District Health Department, which issues recommendations and restrictions for Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties, gave a nearly identical warning.
CDH encourages people instead to “opt for low-risk activities,” such as socially distanced Halloween scavenger hunts or decorating pumpkins with neighbors from a safe distance.
Some neighborhoods have already announced they’re taking those precautions to heart. The North End Neighborhood Association, home of Halloween hot spot Harrison Boulevard, announced Wednesday that it would host a “Halloween Tour” instead of traditional trick-or-treating.
The tour, according to a news release, will feature the decorated homes people love in addition to “hidden scavenger hunt surprises.” The event will run from Oct. 23 to Oct. 30.
There won’t be any candy this year. Instead, participants can print a map of participating homes and scavenger-hunt items that will be available online at the neighborhood’s website, northendboise.org.
The neighborhood is asking visitors and residents to consider making a donation to Camp Rainbow Gold, an Idaho charity that serves children with cancer and their families.
“We love sharing our neighborhood with the Treasure Valley on Halloween, but this year called for something different,” Harrison resident Will Varin said in the release. “We’re excited to start a new tradition that supports a great cause and makes people smile.”
Some homeowners on Harrison may still hand out candy on Halloween, but the street will not be closed to vehicle traffic as it usually is on Halloween night.
The West End Neighborhood Association announced it would offer its own alternative on Saturday, Oct. 31. The neighborhood will host a “socially distanced costume parade.”
Candy will be handed out at stations along the parade route, which starts and ends at Fairview Park.
There will be a costume contest and awards for the best-decorated house. The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. for families with children 5 years old or younger, 6 p.m. for families with children ages 5 to 10 years old and 6:30 p.m. for families with children 10 and older. Adults can decide which group their family will join if they have children in multiple age categories.
Participants are encouraged to disperse at the end of the event to avoid creating a large crowd.
Both neighborhoods encourage people to wear face masks and socially distance from other families.
This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 11:45 AM.
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