In a time of stress and uncertainty, spooky celebrations with friends are often the last thing on everyone’s minds. When everyone wears masks every day, donning a scary costume mask in addition seems somewhat unenjoyable.
Seeking to encourage families and individuals to celebrate the holiday in safe ways, Centers for Disease Control issued a list of activities that are considered “lower risk.” The list includes putting up decorations and participating in a Halloween scavenger hunt. The CDC also recommended not substituting a costume mask for a cloth face covering.
For college students, this October is another reminder of the changes the pandemic has brought. However, using a little creativity to push through the cobwebs, students can find ways to celebrate Halloween that are safe and adhere COVID-19 regulations.
Go to the VAF Halloween Party.
The Visual Arts Foundry is hosting a Halloween party on Oct. 31 from 8:30 to 11 p.m. at the Cathedral Plaza. There will be candy, s’mores and coffee. Dress in your best costume and don’t forget your face mask.
Take a tour of a local pumpkin patch.
Enjoy the cool fall weather and the beautiful falling leaves with a tour of a local pumpkin patch. The Ozark Corn Maze, located in Springdale, features two mazes, a pumpkin patch, a hay ride, live music and many more activities. Visit www.ozarkcornmaze.com to purchase a general admission ticket for $10.
Carve or paint a pumpkin.
Unleash your inner artist by carving or painting a pumpkin. All while distancing outside, you and your friends can share scary stories or create a competition with prizes for the most creative or most frightening.
Watch a scary movie with your roommates or housemates.
Gather up your friends —socially-distanced of course— to watch a horror movie or, if you prefer, an animated film. If your friend is stuck in quarantine or isolation, you can watch the film together online through platforms like Zoom and Netflix Party. The Threefold Advocate staff recommends “The Sixth Sense,” “Insidious,” “Paranormal Activity,” “The Conjuring” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Take a walk through the cemetery.
With the falling leaves and dreary weather sweeping across Siloam Springs, the John Brown University campus feels especially chilly and eerie this time of year. To really test your bravery, take a socially-distanced walk at sunset with your friends through Oak Hill Cemetery.
Go thrifting and create your own Halloween costume.
Looking for a last-minute costume for Halloween night with your roommates? Check out local thrift stores in Siloam Springs to put together a great look. Local stores include Beautiful Lives Siloam, Potter’s House Siloam Springs, and Goodwill. Top off your costume with a face mask featuring a Halloween print.
Bake a fun, spooky treat.
Turn your favorite cookie, brownie or cake recipe into a ghoulish delight with extra decorations. Use bright food-coloring, along with candy eyes, sprinkles and frosting to make a fun and spooky treat.
Visit a local haunted house.
Ready for a real scare? Visit a local haunted house, like the Warehouse of Fear hosted by Riverside Entertainment in Siloam Springs. The haunted house, featuring “30 movie-set quality rooms,” follows CDC regulations for COVID-19 according to its Facebook page. Tours are available every Friday and Saturday night starting at 6:30, including Halloween night. Visit www.riverside-entertainment.com to purchase a $15 ticket.
However you decide to celebrate Halloween, remember to follow COVID-19 guidelines including social distancing and wearing a face mask. Happy haunting!
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