WATSONVILLE—The City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department and the County of Santa Cruz will host a Drive-Thru Trunk-or-Treat event Friday between 4:30-7:30pm, or until supplies last.
Families are invited to drive their vehicles through Ramsay Park, 1301 Main St., starting at the Main Street entrance. Workers from nonprofits and other community organizations will place treats inside the trunks.
“To comply with social distancing guidelines, we have needed to get creative in planning this event,” said Katie Nuñez, older adult services supervisor of Parks and Community Services. “We want residents to know about the increased risk of exposure to Covid-19 that comes with traditional trick-or-treating, and attending halloween parties. This event offers residents a safer option to celebrate Halloween.”
Trunks must be opened by families in order to limit contact. Masks will be required to participate in the event, as well as social distancing from other families.
In addition, families can also participate in a car-decorating contest for a chance to win prizes. Photographs will be taken of the decorated cars and posted on social media, where the community can vote on a winner.
“We are hoping that this event will bring some fun and sense [of] normalcy to children in our community,” Nuñez said.
Groups participating in “Trunk-or-Treat” include Santa Cruz County Probation Offices, Santa Cruz County District Attorney, United Way of Santa Cruz County, Youth N.O.W., Agricultural History Project, Digital NEST, Salud Para La Gente, Soroptimist International of Watsonville and many other nonprofits, clubs and local agencies.
Nuñez added that Parks and Community Services are already looking ahead toward the upcoming holiday season for ways to celebrate.
“I would have not predicted that the pandemic would last throughout the holidays at the beginning of the shelter-in-place order, but here we are,” she said. “[We are] aiming to provide safer alternatives for the community in celebrating the holidays.”
For up-to-date Halloween safety tips visit cityofwatsonville.org or follow on social media.
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MORE LOCAL EVENTS:
Watsonville Halloween Treasure Map
Various businesses across Watsonville will be passing out “treasure” (individually-wrapped candy, snacks, stickers, etc.), while adhering to Covid-19 safety guidelines. Sponsored by Togo’s Watsonville and PV Chamber. Pick up a map anytime between 10am-8pm Saturday at either Togo’s Watsonville location. To add your business to the map email wd*****@gm***.com or call 430-0825.
Harvest Fest Candy Factory
The First Baptist Church, 101 Madison St., will be hosting a special outdoor event on Saturday between 5-8pm. Families are invited to stop by for a physically-distanced, family-friendly Halloween walkthrough to receive candy. Be entered into a raffle to win a skateboard, scooter or bike. Masks are required, and candy will only be handed out to children elementary school aged and younger.
