By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

This Halloween, the Historic Cazenovia Business District will conduct a safe “mini-Halloween” trick-or-treating event for families who may not feel comfortable going door-to-door in residential neighborhoods this year.

From 5 to 7 p.m., local businesses, non-profits and other organizations will be stationed along Albany Street to safely distribute candy to trick-or-treaters.

“Consider this as an alternative if you want to give your children a more limited, safer option for this year,” said Mayor Kurt Wheeler. “If some families choose this option, it will reduce density in other neighborhoods.”

As of Oct. 21, the participating businesses/organizations included Lillie Bean, J.D. Hunter Home, Kalamata Pita, Kinney Drug, 20|EAST, Caz Pizza, The Key, Lavender Blue, Cazenovia Jewelry, Cazenovia Abroad, the Lincklaen House, Project CAFÉ, and the Cazenovia High School Girls Cross Country team.

Community Bank, Key Bank and M&T Bank will participate by donating candy for distribution.

A drop-box is located at Kinney Drugs for additional candy donations from the public.

According to the mayor, the village is encouraging a one-way flow of trick-or-treaters along all sidewalks, with pedestrian traffic facing the nearest lane of vehicle traffic.

“Albany Street has wide sidewalks for distancing and pedestrian traffic will flow in one direction — toward the lake on the south side and away from it on the north side,” he said. “[Also,] think about ways to create a one-way flow of traffic and/or reduce congestion near where you are handing out candy.”

Wheeler suggested that participants hand out candy from the edges of their porches rather than their doorways, and that they encourage trick-or-treaters to approach from one side and leave from another.

Residents are asked to follow the Madison County Health Department’s list of best practices for participating in Halloween activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The county advises residents who decide to go trick-or-treating to keep the following practices in mind:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Keep your trick-or-treating groups small with family or close friends only.
• Remain six feet apart from other trick-or-treaters outside your group.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wear a face covering over your mouth and nose. A costume mask is not a substitute for a health-related mask.
• Wash your hands after unwrapping candy and before you eat it.

Residents who choose to pass out candy are asked to keep the following practices in mind:

• Do not hand out candy if you are sick.
• Wear an appropriate face covering.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Consider alternative ways to hand out candy, such as organizing a drive-by or leaving candy spread out on a disinfected table.
• If handing out candy from your front door, consider marking six-foot lines in front of your home and leading to the driveway/front door. Additionally, consider positioning a distribution table between yourself and trick-or-treaters, or offering grab-and-go candy bags instead of a communal bowl.

Residents who are not comfortable handing out candy are advised to turn off their porch lights.

“Don’t feel badly about sitting out 2020, this will allow more space between homes that are taking part this year,” said Wheeler.

For the MCDOH’s full list of best practices, visit madisoncounty.ny.gov/2642/Halloween-Best-Practices.