Halloween Events to Engage Your Community

Last October, many community centers had to cancel their Halloween plans or alter them to make them safe to attend due to COVID-19. While the last 19 months have been scary enough, rec centers are ready to bring spooky fun to their community.

Here is collective list of how various community rec centers across the U.S. are celebrating Halloween and bringing fun to their communities this year. 

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission

Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia

According to the park and rec department’s Facebook event, kids of all ages are invited to kick-off their Halloween season with a “Not-so-scary Magic show” with Mike Perrello, the D.C. area’s leading children magician and a candy drop on October 23.

Gates open at 1:00 p.m. and the candy will drop at 1:30 p.m. The local fire department will drop candy from their ladder truck onto the field. Kids will be given a signal to gather the candy and fill their trick-or-treat bags. The magic show will follow at 2:00 p.m. Tickets should be purchased for kids only. Adult caregivers do not need a ticket, it is $12 for a ticket or $17 for non-county resident.

Learn more, here.

Rosen JCC

Orlando, Florida

The Rosen JCC is partnering up with Miles to Go Charities to put on the Good Ghoul Gala on October 30. The goal of the event is to raise funds to support those experiencing homelessness and to build a community anchored in philanthropy.

Guests can expect a spooky family fashion show, music by Grammy-nominated DJ Fatum, Halloween costume contest, trick-or-treating, live entertainment, roaming characters, photo booth, games, shopping, food trucks, raffle prizes, and a silent auction including a trip to Mexico, a staycation and more.

You can learn more about the event or buy tickets here.

The San Angelo YMCA

San Angelo, Texas

On October 28 at 6:30 p.m. the San Angelo YMCA is hosting their biggest event of the year “Halloween at the Y” with the goal to offer a safe and family-friendly event. Majority of the event will be held in the Y’s parking lot with carnival-themed booths, games, a costume contest and potentially a bounce house. Inside the building, event organizers are planning a haunted house experience.

To learn more, contact this year’s organizer Abigail Holguin, the engagement coordinator for the Y.

YMCA of Dekalb County

Auburn, Indiana

The YMCA of Dekalb County is hosting Healthy Halloween in their YMCA parking lot. The free event is an option for community members to enjoy a safe and healthy Halloween alternative with healthy treats, prizes and activities. The Y is asking community members to wear family-friendly costumes only.

When: October 26, 2021

4:00 to 4:30 p.m.: participants with special needs
4:30 to 7 p.m.: All participants

If your facility is inspired by one of these events or offering trick-or-treating, here are safety rules from the Mayo Clinic to keep in mind to protect your community this Halloween.

• Get in on the fun. Accompany trick-or-treaters younger than age 12. Inform parents to pin a piece of paper with their child’s name, address and phone number inside their child’s pocket in case they get separated. Encourage older kids to trick or treat with friends, parents or older siblings.
• Set ground rules.  Review safety rules, including staying with the group, walking only on the sidewalk, approaching only clearly lit homes, and never going inside a home or car for a treat.
• Inspect treats before indulging. Inspect the treats before your facility hands them out. Discard anything that’s not sealed, has torn packaging or looks questionable. If you have young children, weed out gum, peanuts, hard candies and other choking hazards.