Safe, fun and spooky: A few ways Halloween fans of any age can celebrate the haunted holiday

Beth Christian Broschart
October 28, 2020

BUCKHANNON – Even with face covering and social distancing requirements, the fall and Halloween season can still be fun and safe for young children and grown-ups who enjoy sweet fall treats and spooky experiences.

The Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat, sponsored by Upshur County Schools and the Upshur County Family Resource Network, has been rescheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Trick or treaters will stay in their vehicles and drive by to receive their treats.

The event will take place at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. Upshur County FRN Director Lori Ulderich Harvey said that even though the event will happen following Halloween, the UCFRN feels it still will serve as a fun family activity.

“So much has been canceled throughout this year, so we want to have as many safe activities as possible for our community,” Harvey said.

Harvey explained that in previous years, the Buckhannon Police Department hosted the annual Trunk or Treat at the Public Safety Complex parking lot in conjunction with City of Buckhannon employees.

“That event had to be canceled due to social distancing guidelines,” Harvey explained. “The UCFRN approached Upshur County Schools with the drive-thru idea to be able to help maintain that annual event, although it is in a slightly different way.”

She said the hope is that everyone can come out and enjoy the company of others, with guidelines being followed by the agencies, groups and individuals attending the Trunk or Treat.

“All individuals will wear masks and have candy pre-bagged,” Harvey said. “We just ask for the public to bring a bag or their bucket to hold out the window and masks are highly recommended for everyone’s safety, especially those who are handing out the goodies.” (Please note that Halloween costume masks are not sufficient as they don’t typically cover the nose and mouth, and facial coverings used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 should be worn.)

Harvey said just because the event will be held after Halloween does not mean folks cannot still dress up.

“It’s hard to tell what you might find as you drive through,” Harvey said. “We hope everyone enjoys this year’s Trunk or Treat!”

Questions about the Trunk or Treat should be directed to Upshurfrn@yahoo.com or by calling Lori Ulderich Harvey at 304-473-1051 or Jewel Fisher at 304-472-4466.

Other fun ideas for helping younger kids celebrate the season include:

TJ’s Greenhouse and Produce Stand has Jerry’s Pumpkin Patch where kids can get pumpkins, squash and gourds of all shapes, sizes and colors – and they have plenty of merchandise right in time for Halloween.

Kids and adults can learn which are good to eat and Jerry’s Pumpkin Patch offers many different scenes where parents may snap photos of their young ones with corn stalks, pumpkins, ghosts, bats, ghouls and all sorts of Fall and Halloween décor.

Jerry’s Pumpkin Patch at TJ’s Greenhouse

Hurry down to TJ’s Greenhouse and Produce Stand, located on Route 33 across from Tree Farm Road in Horner. TJ’s Greenhouse and Produce Stand is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional information is available by sending a message on Facebook or by calling 304-269-8414.

The Washington District Volunteer Fire Company Trunk or Treat is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

The event will be held at the station in Tallmansville, and they ask people to keep the lines moving and follow the six-foot social distancing guidelines for this outdoor event. Also, folks willing to help donate and pass out goodies are welcome to come and help.

The Washington District Volunteer Fire Company is located at 6338 Tallmansville Rd. Questions should be directed to 304-472-3762.

KAR Services 27:17 will offer a Classic Cruise in Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. across from Buckhannon Toyota and Jenkins Ford. The event will feature classic and new cars, Ford big rigs and tractors, and their flyer says best of all, the little ones can dress up and enter to win a best costume contest and earn some candy.

Additional information is available by calling 304-629-8314 or by emailing karservices@kar2717.com.

Having a fall/Halloween treat is not just for the younger folks. Quite a few local entities are offering treats for adults as well as some chilling experiences.

The Donut Shop, located at 51 N. Locust St. in Buckhannon, has tons of sweet treats to satisfy every sweet tooth. Specifically, during the fall/Halloween season they offer four different ‘special’ donuts. They are pumpkin cake donuts, glazed pumpkin cake donuts, iced pumpkin cake donuts and pumpkin cake donuts with icing and cinnamon.

Stone Tower Brews offers coffee, tea, craft beer and delicious eats, and during the week of Halloween, along with The Three Broom Sticks, they are conjuring up some ‘magically-inspired’ specials. They are offering ‘Wizarding Week’ with Hogwarts-themed food and drinks, including butterbeer and many other tasty treats! Stone Tower Brews is located at 5 E. Main St. in Buckhannon.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, the former Weston State Hospital, offers historic and paranormal tours by flashlight as well as a haunted house. The Haunted House is open Thursday through Sunday and questions should be directed to info@trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com or by calling 304-269-5070.

Heritage, history and haunting can all be found at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Lewis County.

Keep your eyes and ears open – there are many other spooky and delicious treats around the area so folks can celebrate the fall season.

We hope everyone has a fun and ‘boo’ tiful Halloween, and if you have any ideas to add to our season list of festivities, drop us an email at news@mybuckhannon.com or contact us via Facebook.