Trick-Or-Treating This Year? Patch Parents Respond To Our Poll

NEW JERSEY — More than 80 percent of the more than 1,100 readers who took Patch's trick-or-treating survey last week said their kids will trick-or-treat this year. Just 19 percent of those who responded said their kids are opting out of trick-or-treating for 2021.

This year, more than 60 percent of those who responded said they plan to pass out Halloween candy as usual on Sunday, while just over 18 percent said they won't, and about 20 percent said they would give out candy but not directly.

As for wearing face masks while on the prowl for candy, 55 percent of respondents said yes while just over 44 percent said no.

78 percent of those who answered said they aren't changing their Halloween plans due to the pandemic while just over 21 percent said they were altering their standard procedure.

"We are setting up a table on our driveway with treats on it," one reader wrote. "We will seat in lawn chairs at a distance."

Another said they were taking their children to the Great Adventure Safari and others had additional fall activities planned.

"We plan to go on a family hike on one of our local trails and visit local farms for apple and pumpkin picking instead of the usual trunk or treat." a reader noted. "We usually visit at least 2 or 3 trunk or treats a year."

State and federal health officials urged parents to let their kids participate in Halloween festivities, but to use caution.

"I think that, particularly if you're vaccinated — you're outdoors for the most part — you can get out there and enjoy it," infectious disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci said on CNN earlier this month. "This is a time that children love. It's a very important time of the year for children. I know my children enjoyed it."