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St. Paul sticks with set time for trick-or-treating

Halloween activities such as a scavenger hunt and yard decorating contest will be organized this year.
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File photo.

ST. PAUL - The Town of St. Paul will be stick with the set 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. trick-or-treating time, following discussions during the Sept. 28 regular council meeting.

Mayor Maureen Miller noted that things could always change, if a different direction is given from the provincial level due to the current pandemic.

"With Halloween fast approaching, conversations have began regarding trick-or-treating, the current pandemic and what that might look light in our community," said CAO Kim Heyman. Trick-or-treating hours, in past years, have been established at the discretion of council, with a motion standardizing them as 5 to 8 p.m.

On Monday night, council carried a motion to approve those same hours for 2020. 

The Town of St. Paul FCSS also organizes the annual Safe and Sweet Halloween, which will also go ahead this year, but in a new format. No indoor events will take place, and instead a scavenger hunt will be held. Once participants complete the scavenger hunt, they can stop by the St. Paul Rec. Centre to pick up a treat bag filled with goodies donated by businesses and residents.

"FCSS has issued a letter to businesses requesting donations as well as opening this opportunity up to residents who may not be comfortable with the door-to-door style of trick-or-treating this year, but would still like to contribute to Halloween," said Heyman. Businesses and residents who donate treats will receive a sign to post on their door or window, stating they've participating in the Safe and Sweet Halloween initiative.

Also, the County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS has partnered with the Town of St. Paul FCSS to sponsor Halloween themed movies at the Elite Theatre over the course of Halloween weekend. New this year will also be a Halloween yard decorating contest, encouraging residents to decorate their yards. 

During discussions, Miller said she would like to encourage people to be respectful of people who may decide not to hand out candy this year. Further, she encouraged everyone to "mask up" if they cannot maintain six feet of distance while out trick-or-treating.

"We've maintained a very safe community," said Miller, acknowledging the work that has been done.

Coun. Tyson deMoissac said that while he was in favour of trick-or-treating going ahead as usual, he felt councillors should be ready for some feedback on the topic.

"All these rules are ridiculous, in my opinion," said deMoissac. He later questioned how contact tracing could ever be done if 160 trick-or-treaters have gone to a specific house on Halloween, for example. He also noted that many people who trick-or-treat in St. Paul come in from surrounding communities.

Miller simply acknowledged that as a municipality, they must follow the rules. She later noted that there are a lot of people seeking information about Halloween from Alberta's Chief Medical Officers of Health.

Coun. Nathan Taylor said he would like to put out a reminder that people follow the rule of either turning their front porch light on or off on Halloween, so that trick-or-treaters know which houses to approach. If a light is on, that means the residence is handing out candy, if the light is off, children know to stay away.

"Let people make their own choices," said Taylor.

On Thursday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the chief medical officer of health, said she is not cancelling Halloween. Outdoor Halloween activities are considered to be a lower risk and are supported by public health.


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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