HOPE — Hope has revised its plans for Halloween celebrations, canceling some events, but adding others.
The popular event called “Goodies, Goblins and Ghost Stories,” which has been known to attract over 500 people annually to the Hope Town Square, has been canceled due to concerns about COVID-19.
In the past, the annual Halloween celebration has included hay-wagon rides, ghost stories, campfires, s’mores, fortune telling, pumpkin painting and an attraction called the Cabinet of Curiosities, organizer David Miller said.
“Ultimately, I decided I couldn’t do it for the safety of participants and volunteers,” said Miller, who oversees the Hope branch of the Bartholomew County Library. “There’s so many pieces of that event that just couldn’t be done without putting people in danger.”
However, another Halloween activity called “Night at the Museum” is still on. It will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Yellow Trail Museum, located at the southwest corner of Jackson and Main streets. While protective masks are required, admission is free to the event co-sponsored by the Hauser Jr.-Sr. High Historians. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
Since “Goodies, Goblins and Ghost Stories” has been canceled, the Hope Town Council agreed to provide both the town’s volunteer fire department and police department with $350 each to purchase candy. Those funds were originally allocated for Miller’s event.
Whatever money or goodies are left over will be turned over to the town’s food pantry, council member Clyde Compton said.
The goodies will be available from a fire truck and police car parked next to the town square.
The Hope Town Council agreed Oct. 14 to establish trick-or-treat hours from 6 to 8 p.m on Saturday, Oct. 31.
More on this story will be in an upcoming edition of The Republic.
