Staff Report

WARSAW — The City of Warsaw and the Town of Winona Lake, in coordination with the Kosciusko County Health Department, have released their 2020 trick-or-treating guidelines.

Trick-or-treating in Warsaw and Winona Lake is tentatively set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

The guidelines are as follows:

Do Not Participate If…

Individuals are asked to not participate if:

• they have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to COVID-19
• they are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19
• they are experiencing any symptoms of illness (even a cold)
• they are a high-risk individual

Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands before handling or distributing candy, as well as before opening or eating any candy.

Wear A Mask

Trick-or-treaters and those distributing treats are asked to wear masks. Costume masks do not provide protection from COVID-19. Use a fitted cloth or disposable mask.

Social Distance

Avoid contact while trick-or-treating. Line up treat bags on a table for kids to grab. Hand out candy instead of using a communal bowl. Build a fun contraption such as a candy chute or zip line.

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Other area towns have also announced Halloween plans and events.

Etna Green

The Lions Club of Etna Green will be holding its annual “Hayride and Hot Dogs” event on Oct. 31 at Heritage Park. The hayride starts at 6 p.m. There will also be free hot chocolate and hot dogs.

Mentone

Mentone’s trick-or-treat hours are from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. A costume judging contest will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Mentone Elementary School.

Those attending the costume judging contest are asked to wear a cloth mask.

Silver Lake

Silver Lake’s trick-or-treat hours are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Stop by Memory Park, 114 S. Jefferson St., Silver Lake, for individually bagged refreshments and candy.

Be sure to turn on your porch light if you are handing out candy.

Syracuse

A drive-thru trick-or-treat event will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive, Syracuse.

Social distancing and COVID-19 guidelines will be practiced and encouraged. Please remain in your vehicle.

Upon arriving to the event, park staff will direct traffic through the parking lot where many local businesses, organizations, agencies, churches, non-profits and civic groups will line the parking lot to greet families with candy and treats.

This is a family friendly event and Halloween costumes are encouraged.

To participate, contact the Syracuse Community Center at (574) 457-3440.

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If you are a town official with updates on trick-or-treat hours, or a host of a public Halloween event, please e-mail [email protected] to submit information on your event for next week’s update.