Local residents and those planning to visit Newtown for trick-or-treating this weekend — especially those planning to head toward Main Street, where crowds have traditionally reached into thousands of people — are reminded that local officials have asked that Halloween celebrations are kept low key this pandemic year.

All is not lost.

No one is saying that trick-or-treating cannot be done. On Saturday night, under a full blue moon, ahead of Daylight Saving Time, Halloween 2020 just needs to be celebrated a little more safely than usual.

From the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to local health and government officials, many are saying that this is not the year to go out of one’s neighborhood. Traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating is on the center’s list of higher risk activities.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is asking parents to limit the number of homes their children visit, and trick-or-treat only with those within a household.

On November 7, Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, Health Director Donna Culbert, and Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold issued a shared statement that was meant to keep the droves from assembling on Main Street this weekend.

“Due to health concerns, town officials have consulted with many of the residents on Main Street and regretfully there will not be Halloween on Main Street for this year. However, this does not mean that Halloween is altogether canceled as there will be ways for children and families to enjoy the season.”

Within 24 hours of that statement, many homes between the busy roadway’s intersections with Currituck and Sugar Street — where “Halloween on Main Street” tends to take place — began posting signs that said “Due to COVID-19, No Main Street Halloween Here. Sorry. See You Next Year. Stay Safe.”

Governor Lamont earlier this month reminded homeowners that they have a say when it comes to Halloween.

Participating in one-way trick-or-treating this weekend, where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while maintaining social distance, is listed under the CDC’s Moderate Risk Activities.

Those preparing these bags should wash their hands with soap and water at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags, the CDC also recommends.

Finally, those who do not feel comfortable having trick-or-treaters at their home this year can rely on tradition: turn any front lights off and keep the door closed.

Not A Town-Sanctioned Event

“Halloween on Main Street” is not an event hosted by the Town of Newtown. While local officials stepped in this year, the “event” is not coordinated by any department, nor even by residents. Instead, the popularity of heading toward the historic district is one that has grown in recent decades.

Thanks to the proximity of the homes to one another, sidewalks that provide safe passage, and homeowners who often go all out with displays, residents from across Newtown along with hundreds of people from well outside the town’s borders have turned Main Street into an October 31 destination.

Due to the high pedestrian traffic, Newtown police officers have also been seen manning crosswalks in the area on Halloween.

Homeowners in recent years have reported counting upwards of 3,000 costumed children at their door for the evening. With those numbers, most homeowners are also very careful to hand out one piece of candy to each trick-or-treater.

Homeowners receive some donations of candy from local businesses, Parks & Rec (which often holds seasonal events in which candy donations for Main Street homeowners are encouraged), and a few donations from those who arrive from away. The majority of each year’s candy inventory, however, is up to each Main Street resident.

Special Events

Whether or not one decides to go trick-or-treating Saturday night, there are still a few Halloween events lined up for children.

Dance Etc is planning a Trunk or Treat event at its studio. From noon to 2 pm, costumed children are invited to visit the studio at 117 Mt Pleasant road for a safe event that will have social distance measures in place.

Reservations are not needed. Additional information is available at 203-426-8717.

From noon until 3 pm, the final carved pumpkins will be accepted at Trinity Episcopal Church for this year’s Great Pumpkin Challenge. The tenth annual event — the fifth being hosted at the 36 Main Street church — will again offer a large Halloween display of carved pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and styles.

Residents have been dropping off their pumpkins since last weekend. Additional drop-off dates were hosted by the church’s youth group during the past week.

The public is invited to visit the church with a carved pumpkin for the display, and a $5 donation for The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp. The pumpkins will all be lit Saturday afternoon, and all donations will benefit the summer camp and year-round center in Ashford that serves children and their families coping with cancer and other serious conditions.

Also today, Newtown Community Center is presenting its final Spooktacular Drive-Thru.

Suitable for all ages, the event is a 10-minute drive-thru Halloween experience that includes spooky but kid friendly scenes. Departure is from the parking lot of the community center, at 8 Simpson Street.

Saturday’s final offering will run from 2 to 7 pm. A surprise is offered at the end of the ride for each vehicle.

Suggested donation is $5 per vehicle. Registration is requested and can be done by calling 203-270-4349 or visiting newtowncommunitycenter.org.

A collection of 25 scarecrows entered into the first Newtown Parks & Recreation Scarecrow Contest will still be on view at Fairfield Hills. Residents were invited earlier this month to “adopt” a lamp post at the town-owned campus.

By October 26, the two dozen-plus entries for this inaugural year of the event were placed along Trades Lane, Keating Farms Avenue, Simpson Street, and 1st Street. The public was invited to vote, once daily October 26-29, and the winners were announced yesterday.

The scarecrows will be on view until November 1.