Halloween preparations begin in Windham

Windham Parks and Recreation and the
Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of
Commerce are co-hosting this year’s
‘Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat’ from 6 to
8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 behind the 
North Windham Hannaford. Trunk hosts
and candy sponsors are still needed
and have until 4 p.m. on Oct. 20 to register
at www.windhamparksandrecreation.com 
FILE PHOTO

By Daniel Gray

With the end of September having been reached that means that Halloween season is just around the corner. With the COVID-19 virus still in tow, the scary and beloved holiday will continue to see the same changes as we saw in 2020. Still, our community still has tricks and treats up its sleeve in terms of fun events for the whole family.

As with last year's recommendations from both Maine and United States CDC guidelines, it is still advised that any social gatherings or trick-or-treating be COVID-19 safe. Wearing masks with your costumes and when partaking in inside events, staying socially distant at 6 feet, and keeping the numbers at any social gathering to a minimum are advised. Any events should be held either outdoors or in a large, well-ventilated area.

With all precautions regarding Halloween, drivers, are urged to be cautious when driving in neighborhoods and to watch for any children on the road. For parents, officials recommend always going over Halloween safety practices with children as well.

For those kids who just can't wait until Halloween night, Windham has parents covered. The Parks and Recreation department will once again partner with the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce to provide the town with a fun, friendly, and safe drive-through Trunk-or-Treat even. This year’s Trunk-or-Treat event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 behind the Windham Mall.

"From my perspective, trunk-or-treating is a safer way to experience Halloween if you would prefer not to go house-to-house this year." said Linda Brooks, director of Windham's Parks and Recreation department.

Last year, the Trunk-or-Treating event had a pre-registration and had all sorts of limitations for people attending and people handing out candy. It was kept within guidelines with masks being worn, crowd size being controlled, and no direct contact.

"There were very specific ways trunk hosts had to give out candy and you could not be in direct contact with anyone,” Brooks said of the 2020 event. “Those things aren't in place this year, and masks are no longer required for outdoor gatherings. We're still doing it as a drive-through event, and we should be able to accommodate more cars than last year."

Trunk or Treat will conduct registration for trunk hosts, those who come to the event to dish out sweet treats to the families that attend. Families, businesses, and organizations alike help out at the event. The Parks and Rec department even helps by providing some candy to the trunk hosts.

Registration for trunk hosts has already opened and, to register, you can contact the Windham Parks and Rec Department. Registration for being a trunk host will be open until 4 p.m. Oct. 20.

Brooks said that anyone experiencing any symptoms relating to COVID-19 should stay home and help keep everyone safe.

For any information regarding Halloween precautions, please visit www.cdc.gov or www.maine.gov. For more information about Trunk-or-Treating, contact Windham's Parks and Recreation Department at 207-892-1905. <