Freeport nixes Halloween parade and trick-or-treating

Freeport canceled its annual Halloween parade and trick-or-treating in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic.

“We do not condone informal trick-or-treating,” Freeport Mayor James Swartz said. “Understanding that families and close friends may visit with each other, we recommend that you follow CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines.”

The Halloween parade, a local tradition, was originally slated for Oct. 24. Trick-or-treat was scheduled for Halloween.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised against trick-or-treat or trunk-or-treating events. They recommended low-risk alternatives, including carving or decorating pumpkins with members of the same household, carving or decorating pumpkins outside with friends while abiding by social distancing measures, hosting a virtual Halloween costume contest and having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat within the house rather than going door to door.