Mainstreet Cleveland announces changes to annual Halloween celebration
Photo courtesy of Mainstreet Cleveland.
On Sept. 16, Mainstreet Cleveland announced the annual downtown Halloween block party will still take place this year despite significant changes due to COVID-19.
The block party will now be a Trick-or-Treat Stroll, spreading across downtown Cleveland. The Courthouse Square area, First Street Square, Museum Center and the Old Wooden Mill will be the locations of the event, according to Mainstreet Cleveland’s announcement.
Map of Candy Locations provided by Mainstreet Cleveland.
The event will be spread out over two days to allow for social distancing.
Volunteers will be stationed across the Trick or Treat Stroll to hand out candy.
Sharron Marr, executive director of Mainstreet Cleveland, said she did not want to cancel the long-standing tradition.
“So many things have been canceled this year. There’s been so many changes, so if we could find a way to do it, and do it safely, it would just be a great thing to offer,” said Marr.
Following Center for Disease and Control guidelines, the changes allow for social distancing to be maintained, and all volunteers will be required to wear masks and gloves. Guests are highly encouraged to wear masks.
The evening will still include live music, which has been a crowd favorite in years past.
Psychology and communication double major Ellie Beth Potter, who attended last year’s event, expressed concerns about having the event amidst the pandemic.
“I know there were a lot of people at the event last year, and part of the fun was the community,” Potter said. “I’m not sure if it’ll have the same effect as last year.”
Even with the changes, Marr hopes the event can still be a fun, safe time for everyone involved.
“In this year of everything being canceled and postponed and all of the bad everyone’s been through, [the goal is] just to have some sense of community and normalcy, and just come out and feel good about things,” Marr said.
Some downtown businesses will be greeting Trick-or-Treaters on the sidewalk with candy. Terra Running Co. employee and Lee University graduate Sue Joyner is looking forward to the festivities.
“Friday and Saturday we're going to have a pallet of candy at Terra’s doors and Bear Brew Coffee’s doors,” said Joyner. “You can come get your candy, dress up and it's going to be a lot of fun. There's a lot of other businesses in downtown Cleveland participating, so you can make your rounds to each business and get a bunch of candy.”
The Trick or Treat Stroll will take place on Oct. 30 from 5-8 p.m. and Oct. 31 from 3-6 p.m.
