BY BARBARA PROFFITT | October 28, 2020

Halloween will look and feel a little different for kids this year, as we deal with COVID-19.

Schools across the county are taking a different approach to their annual Halloween events.

La Cygne and Parker elementary schools will hold their parades on the playground at their schools on Thursday, Oct. 29, due to school not being in session on Friday, Oct. 30. Parents and family members are invited to watch from outside the fence with social distancing in mind. Parties will follow in the classroom; however, no visitors are allowed inside the schools this year.

Jayhawk Elementary in Mound City will not have a parade, but students are invited to wear their costume all day or bring it with them, and teachers and staff will help them get ready. Parties with pre-packaged treats will be held in the classrooms. But no visitors are allowed inside the school.

Pleasanton Elementary will have their students bring their costumes to school to change into after lunch on Oct. 30. Parents are to plan costumes with minimal staff assistance needed. Students will parade uptown at 2 p.m. The parade is only for students; however, the community is welcome to watch the parade keeping social distancing in mind.

Students will then return to school for their classroom parties. Treats sent to school for this must be store bought and individually wrapped and unopened. No homemade treats or drinks are allowed this year.

As for city celebrations of the spooky holiday, there are some changes there as well.

The La Cygne Fire Department will offer its annual hot dog and chili feed "until it's out" beginning after 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Thayer Park. Candy will also be available for children. In addition, a Halloween trunk-or-treat will take place on Broadway from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30. Broadway will be blocked off at Market Street, with local businesses Beauty on Broadway and Peoples Telecommunications along with the city of La Cygne to provide treats for the kids.

Prescott plans to hold their annual Halloween Party and Costume Contest at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at City Hall. There will also be a Trunk for Treat event at City Hall on Halloween night from 5-7 p.m.

Prescott’s Halloween Decoration Contest judging will be Oct. 26-30 with the winners announced during the party the evening of Oct. 30. First prize is $75, second prize is $50, and third prize is $25.

Linn Valley will hold a parade at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 that will start at Bath House No. 2. The community is welcome to watch, keeping social distancing in mind.

Mound City currently has no events scheduled.

Sue Page and partners will offer kids in the Parker area hot dogs and cocoa in Heritage Park beginning at 4 p.m. on Halloween. Parker’s 1 Stop will have treats for trick-or-treaters. If you have questions, or if others would like to participate, please contact Page.

While none of the cities have stated trick-or-treating should not be done, other entities, such as the CDC, have recommended guidelines to follow if doing so.

For those handing out treats the CDC recommends:

– Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.

– Give out treats outdoors, if possible.

– Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.

– Wash hands before handling treats.

– Wear a mask.

For those trick-or-treating, the recommendations are:

– Wear a mask.

– Make your cloth mask part of your costume.

– A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.

– Do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.

– Masks should not be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing.

And remember, not everyone is comfortable with handing out candy or treats.