New Milford will still host a trunk-or-treat event this Halloween, but it will look a little different this year due to the pandemic. The Parks and Rec Department says it will be a drive thru event at the John Pettibone Community Center from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Trunk-or-Treat took off following the 2011 October snow storm and traditionally involves residents decorating vehicles, with kids walking up to each car to collect candy.
Due to social distancing requirements, participants will drive up to decorated vehicles and receive candy tossed into their trunk or into a bag held out the window. Residents handing out candy must be in place by 5:15pm. Everyone must register, though only one registration is needed per car.
Trick-or-treating cars must enter Pickett District Road from the rotary on Still River Drive and use the Community Center entrance near Social Services and the Youth Agency. Participants must remain in their vehicles; a volunteer will close each trunk upon exiting the lot.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is urging families to avoid traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating this Halloween or having truck-or-treat events where candy is handed out from vehicles lined up in parking lots, identifying both as higher risk activities during the coronavirus pandemic.
https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Communications/Guidance/Connecticut-Halloween-Guidance
State officials are also urging people to avoid crowded indoor costume parties that exceed 25 people indoors or 150 people outdoors, large Halloween parades, indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming, and hayrides or tractor rides with people who aren’t in their household.
Those who do choose to hand out candy are urged to wear a face covering, remain 6 feet (2 meters) from the trick-or-treater and place the candy inside the child’s bag.
Dr. Deidre Gifford, the acting DPH commissioner, suggested that families still celebrate by doing activities outdoors, such as scavenger hunts with members of their household.
