Dates, Times and Tips for your Trick-or-Treat planning

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (October 29, 2020) – Happy Haunting wishes with just two days until the Ghouls, Ghosts and Goblins arrive in your neighborhood. Here is the latest Trick –or – Treat times from local communities and some tips to keep all the Ghouls, Ghosts & Goblins safe and happy this Halloween.

Some Local Trick or Treat schedules:

CLERMONT COUNTY, OH communities including: Amelia, Batavia Twp. Goshen Twp., Miami Twp., Milford, New Richmond, Pierce Twp., and Union Twp (Clermont County) have announced Trick-or-Treat for Halloween on Saturday, October 31, from 6-8 p.m. in all above listed communities.

HAMILTON COUNTY, OH communities including: Indian Hill, Lockland, Loveland, Madeira, and Mariemont announced Trick-or-Treat for Halloween on Saturday, October 31, from 6-8 p.m. in all above listed communities.

WARREN COUNTY, OH communities including: Deerfield Township, and Mason announced Trick-or-Treat for Halloween on Saturday, October 31, from 6-8 p.m. in all above listed communities.

Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH) recommends all people choosing to participate in the Halloween fun of Trick-or-Treat refer to State of Ohio guidelines. Mike Samet, Public Information Officer for HCPH acknowledged it is supposed to be a fun time and clarified some obvious questions about protocols for the ghosts and goblins (kids in costume) as well as those of us who may be handing out candy treats to the trick-or-treaters at our homes.

“It’s a fun time,” said Samet. “In this time of pandemic, Halloween is going to be different. Face masks need to be worn under goblin or costume masks. When you get home, clean the candy off. You may see people who choose not to participate and have lights off. Respect lights out.”

Wearing masks under the masks protects the little ghosts and goblins. Samet said the same precaution of wearing a mask should be taken by the people handing out the treats to keep everyone safe.

“There are a lot of ways,” Samet said. “One is signage by the treat bucket saying just take one. You can ask that only one goblin approach at a time as you drop the treat in their bag or bucket.”

Another effective “no touch” trick-or-treat” method is to use food serving tongs to pick the candy up and drop it in the goblins collection bag or bucket. There are still a number of special Halloween events to enjoy in communities all around us. 

Here are a few going on now:

Loveland – Blooms & Berries Fall on the Farm, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, now through November 1, on the farm at 9669 S. Ohio 48, Loveland. Features: pumpkin patches, hayrides, a pumpkin bounce pad, 5-acre corn maze, farm animals, play area and more. Due to COVID, tickets must be purchased online, no walk-ups. $12 Sat-Sun, $10 Mon-Fri. 513-697-9173; bloomsandberries.com

Loveland – From the Loveland Police Department comes the Loveland “Candy Police”. This one is special for those living in Loveland or Hamilton Twp. who may be unable to Trick-or-Treat due to a disability. Contact Lt. Mike Szpak at 513-707-6116 or by email mszpak@lovelandoh.gov provide your name, the name of the person in need and an address where they can deliver the candy along with a phone number at which you can be contacted. 

Milford – Shaw Farms Fall Festival runs through Oct. 3, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, on the farm at 1737 Ohio 131, Milford. Features: trractor or horse-drawn hayrides (weather permitting), 15-acre corn maze, interactive playground, farm animals and special weekend activities. Admission is FREE, but activities range $3-$6 each. Call 513-575-2022; www.shawfarmmarket.com .

Here is the complete list of State of Ohio guidelines for a Safe Halloween for all:

                                 Recommended Best Practices

  • It is strongly recommended that Ohioans exercise caution when deciding to participate in trick-or-treating and other events that put them in close contact with people outside their households. According to the CDC, traditional trick-or-treating, with treats handed to children who go door-to-door, is a high-risk activity and should be avoided.
  • Consider lower- or moderate-risk, socially distant ways to celebrate, such as:
  • Holding a drive-through or drive-in trick-or-treat event, with children in costume and face coverings staying in cars and collecting treats from individuals spaced at least 6 feet apart.
  • Holding drive-by costume or car-decorating contests with judges who are physically distanced.
  • Leaving treats for friends and neighbors.
  • Carving/decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them or carving/decorating pumpkins outdoors, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends.
  • Holding costume parties or pumpkin carving events or contests online, such as by video conference.
  • Hiding treats outside your home as an alternative to trick-or-treating
  • Holding a Halloween scavenger hunt, giving children lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house.
  • Holding a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your own home.
  • Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with or having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends and people spaced at least 6 feet apart. If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised

For other ideas, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance here.

  • Do not hold large in-person Halloween parties. If holding smaller parties, limit attendance to 10 or fewer people and hold the event in an outdoor area where social distancing is possible. Avoid activities, such as bobbing for apples,that foster the spread of infection.
  • Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.
  • Always wear a face covering and stay 6 feet away from people who are not from your household, whether trick-or-treating, passing out treats, or attending attractions or events.
  • Face coverings should never be placed on children younger than 2 or anyone who cannot easily remove them.
  • A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
  • Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
  • If you may have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
  • Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
  • Select events/attractions that are held outdoors and allow attendees to stay in their cars (such as drive-through event with displays) or socially distance. Avoid events that involve being crowded in a small area or coming into contact with/being touched by others.
  • Consider the people in your household who may be at greater risk of complications if COVID-19 is brought into the home, such as those with certain health conditions, women who are pregnant, or older family members.

Recommended Best Practices

For Parents/ Guardians:                                                                                                                 

  • If taking your children trick-or-treating, limit the number of houses you visit and ask your children to stay as far from treat-givers as possible. For small children, consider holding the bag for them.
  • Wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes when you arrive home. (NOTE: Never wipe unpackaged food with wipes.)
  • Allow children to eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid homemade treats made by strangers.
  • If your child is at greater risk of complications from COVID-19, contact your doctor before allowing participation in Halloween activities.

For Community Members:

  • For trick-or-treating, reach out to neighbors to discuss ways to ensure 6-foot social distancing, how candy can most safely be distributed, and the need for face coverings.
  • Refrain from having children select their own treats from a bowl/common container or set up a hand-sanitizing station.
  • Consider lining up individually wrapped goodie bags on porch steps, a table in the driveway, or the edge of the driveway or yard with a sign asking children to take only one. Or use other creative ways to distribute treats, such as using a candy “slide” made of PVC pipe, or hanging treats from a wall or fence.
  • If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags.

For Operators of Events/ Attractions:

  • Follow all state requirements and guidelines for Consumer, Retail, Services & Entertainment sectors, as well as any local requirements or guidelines.
  • Do not allow groups to intermingle. Reduce capacity to allow for 6-foot social distancing between groups as well as employees/volunteers at all times. Reinforce distancing with markers or dividers.
  • Have hand sanitizer readily available to all participants.
  • Pre-sell tickets to ensure capacities are limited.
  • Consider eliminating common seating areas or play areas where children and others might congregate. If seating is provided, keep it outdoors, separate benches/tables by at least 6 feet or use dividers, and sanitize between each use.
  • Notify your local health department immediately if you learn that someone with COVID-19 has visited your attraction.