Chloe Reid

Staff Writer

With Halloween rapidly approaching and COVID-19 still in full swing, many people are left wondering how to celebrate in a new, socially-distanced way. Thankfully, there are still many ways to safely celebrate the ghoulish season even though trick-or-treating as well as other celebrations may have been modified or canceled to protect against COVID-19. Despite in-person events having been significantly limited over this past year, there’s plenty of alternatives for celebrations to keep everyone safe and have a fun Halloween.

Roommate/Zoom Costume Parties

Due to local ordinances restricting big groups, party plans for the holidays this year have seemingly come to a halt. Regardless of typical party scenes being canceled, parties via Zoom or with roommates are a simple and easy way to spend time with friends and family. If you have costumes planned, showing them to your friends via Zoom while playing some music would be a great socially-distanced idea for big groups.

Small-Group Get-Togethers

For smaller groups including those you live with or see on a daily basis, in-person and socially-distanced parties attended outdoors would also be a safe alternative. Take a note from Idaho State University junior, Kylie Anderson, whose plan this year is to hang out with her roommates and dress up to keep the Halloween spirit alive.

Pumpkin Carving / Picking

A simple yet classic Halloween tradition, pumpkin picking and carving, are great ideas for something to do with family or those you live with. With pumpkin patches in abundance across East Idaho, finding one locally and making a day trip with your friends or family, going to pick out a few and carving/decorating them is an easy and fun replacement to big group settings.

Spooky Drives

With trick-or-treating being discouraged in several cities, many are upset knowing that roaming the streets and looking at beloved Halloween decorations may come to an end this year. However, just because getting candy from strangers might be banned this spooky season, getting some close friends and going on a ride-around is virus-friendly and fun.

Halloween Movie Night

Rounding up some close friends, roommates or family and spending your Halloween night watching some classic horror films is a great way to go about this holiday season. Some go-to classics to stream include “Scream”, “The Shining”, “Nightmare on “Elm Street”, “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th”. Make sure to check out Adam Sandler’s new Halloween movie, “Hubie Halloween”, too!

COVID Friendly Trick or Treating 

Despite COVID-19 withholding traditional trick-or-treating for most Americans, there are several sanitary strategies to allow the classic Halloween tradition this year. Although still labeled as a moderate-risk activity, using sanitizers and gloves regularly as well as staying 6 feet apart from other trick-or-treaters, are two simple steps to prevent spreading. Instead of handing candy out yourself or leaving it in a communal bowl, try individually wrapping grab-bags for kids to come up and pick up for themselves

However, Halloween’s new regulations for 2020 don’t stop the students of Idaho State University from creating their own ways of celebrating. Many Idaho State students plan to go home and celebrate with their families this holiday season.

“This Halloween, I’ll be going home and having a costume party with close friends, as well as attending a sign language club going on that night,” said junior Kate Allen.

“I’m going to go home with some friends and dress up with my family,” said freshman Brooklynn Bullock

Local Events

For those planning on staying local for Halloween, Pocatello has several events planned for upcoming weeks.

• SRD’s (Snake River Doodles) Haunted Acre, a local outdoor haunt experience for all age groups, hosts every Saturday in October from 8-11 pm. The attraction allows guests to choose their level of fear by different-leveled paths, making it a fun attraction for anyone.

Oct 26:

• For Idaho State students, kids and families, the Bengal “Bootacular” carnival will be hosted in the Pond Student Union Ballroom at 6 p.m with prizes, games and treats. Admission is free for Idaho State students, $3 for faculty and $5 for public visitors.

Oct 27:

• Old Town Pocatello will be hosting a haunted walking tour downtown on the 27th and 28th of October. Tickets are on sale at 420 N. Main Street, costing $20 for adult admission, and $15 for children.

Oct 28:

• Zoo Idaho will be hosting Zoo Boo, with live music, a haunted treehouse, and local merchants.
• The Reel Theater in Pocatello will be hosting the locally produced movie, “Undead Silence” at 11:45 a.m. and 11:15 p.m. Masks are required for entrance.

Oct 31:

• Idaho State athletes will be hosting a trunk or treat on the south side of Holt Arena at 6:30 pm.

Holidays can help us maintain a sense of normalcy during a not-so-normal time. Although celebrating Halloween this year might be a bit different, it’s important to continue preventive measures to stay safe.

Wearing a mask, social distancing and washing hands in between different transactions remain extremely important especially in larger holiday groups and outdoor events.