Community Corner
Trick-Or-Treat Hours Extended In Aurora Due To Coronavirus
Kids in Aurora will have more time than ever to trick-or-treat this year, with hours extended to encourage social distancing.
AURORA, IL — While many feared the coronavirus would force Aurora officials to cancel trick-or-treating this year, it’s done the opposite. Kids in Aurora will be allowed to trick-or-treat from 3-7 p.m. Oct. 31, giving them more time than ever.
Aurora usually holds its trick-or-treating event from 4:30-7 p.m., but Irvin said extra time will help families spread out and maintain their distance from other groups going door to door.
Find out what's happening in Aurorafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We will allow trick-or-treating this year,” Irvin said Friday. “But we must do so in a very focused and safe way, and we need the entire community to help.”
Everyone who participates in trick-or-treating will be required to wear a mask over their mouth and nose at all times. Irvin urged families not to gather in groups with other families and to maintain their distance while walking throughout the city’s neighborhoods.
Find out what's happening in Aurorafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Unemployment Up 134% In Kane County Since August 2019
Anyone who is sick — whether it’s a child, a parent or a resident handing out candy — should stay home and not participate in trick-or-treating this year to reduce any potential spread of the virus as a result of the event, Irvin said.
Illinois Coronavirus Update Sept. 25 — Don't miss updates in Aurora as they are announced — Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.
Residents handing out candy should consider making individually wrapped bags instead of putting out a bowl of candy and putting tape or markers to promote social distancing, Irvin said. Residents can stay safe by putting candy on a disinfected table between them and the trick-or-treaters, Irvin said.
Those who do not want to participate in the city’s trick-or-treating event should turn off their lights.
Best Aurora-Area Pumpkin Patches 2020
Parents should encourage their children to frequently use hand sanitizer and to not eat any candy while trick-or-treating, Irvin said.
In normal years, thousands of residents file through Aurora City Hall to pick up candy and celebrate Halloween. Though that will not be possible this year due to the coronavirus, Irvin encouraged residents to get dressed up and decorate their cars for a drive-thru trick-or-treating event Oct. 31 in Phillips Park.
More details about the drive-thru event will be released shortly, Irvin said.
Marissa Amoni, manager of Aurora Downtown, said the city’s downtown area will transform into “Sugar Skull City” from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. The organization’s forced rethink of its annual Day of the Dead event means residents will have 30 days to take advantage of specials at restaurants, complete scavenger hunts, check out decorated storefronts, and much more, Amoni said.
“This will be a Halloween like we’ve never seen,” Irvin said. “We can have fun, but let’s make our fun safe.”
REGIONAL NEWS:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
