Trick-or-treating in the Treasure Valley, safe alternatives during pandemic
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Halloween is finally here but things may look a little different this year due to COVID-19.
According to the CDC, many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading the virus. The CDC says if you think you have COVID-19 or you 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.
You can view low-risk activities recommended by the CDC on its website.
Some Boise neighborhoods have offered alternative events to trick-or-treating.
The West End Neighborhood Association is holding a "Halloween Walkabout" on Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The "Halloween Walkabout" is a socially distanced costume parade throughout the neighborhood. The association and other sponsors are providing individually wrapped candy located around the parade route. The parade starts and ends at Fairview Park.
To view the "Halloween Walkabout" parade route click HERE.
The North End Neighborhood Association is hosting some safe Halloween activities as well. East End Neighborhood Association says they will not be celebrating Halloween this year but offered some alternative activities.
The Idaho Botanical Garden is hosting Fall Harvest at the Garden on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants can enjoy a Scarecrow Stroll, the socially distant one-way Hay Maze, pumpkin patch, and local food trucks.
Linder Farm's last day is Oct. 31. The pumpkin patch, corn maze, and other activities are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For people who love haunted houses, Idaho Haunted Houses is a website with locations of haunted houses in Idaho.
Parents can use this interactive map to see how homes in the area are celebrating Halloween. There is also a Facebook group called Treasure Valley Idaho Halloween that posts Halloween events going on in the Treasure Valley.
As a reminder, the CDC recommends participating in "low-risk" activities this year. These activities include:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house
RELATED: Halloween on Harrison Boulevard will look a little different this year