Roaming Roanoke: Halloween Wrap Up

November 6, 2020 | Angela Evans | Blog, Roaming Roanoke

I know, I know, it’s November now and many are trading jack-o-lanterns for pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving turkey or perhaps even putting up Christmas decorations and watching holiday movies (my kids have already watched Elf). However, let’s take a look back at Halloween events. So many people worked hard to give kids and families a fun time during Pandemic challenges.

The Covid-19 pandemic and health and safety measures meant many Halloween events underwent changes this year. Many organizations, non-profits, businesses, and others did their best to still hold Halloween events safely! Drive-thru trunk or treats and outdoor events turned into the norm. Kids still had lots of fun and brought home lots of candy!

As much as my kids would have wanted, it was impossible to attend every Halloween event in the area. That just shows that so many groups put on events and made lots of children happy! We made it to the Salem Red Sox Spooktacular, one of the YMCA’s drive-thru trick-or-treating, and one of Roanoke County Library’s trick-or-treats!

The Salem Red Sox Spooktacular was held the week before Halloween at the Salem Memorial Ballpark. At this annual event, businesses and groups had booths on the field and handed out candy or other goodies. My son loves baseball and loves going to Salem Red Sox games! All three of my kids really enjoyed being able to go to the stadium! They got lots of candy and enjoyed sitting on the field afterwards. We did not enter the costume contest but my kids had fun watching it! We really enjoyed the band True Cadence playing afterwards. Plus, Cactus Joe Choo Choo was there giving rides! My train-loving son was so happy!

Salem Red Sox General Manager Allen Lawrence said they were excited to put on Halloween events this year! “Our Halloween events have become a tradition for many families in the area. On Friday (October 23rd), families could come spread out on the outfield grass and enjoy the movie Hocus Pocus on the video board. Sox Spooktacular was the following day and allowed kids to trick-or-treat on the field and live music was available on the concourse. Both of these free events were a great way to have the community come out to the ballpark and do normal things while feeling safe. These events are always a lot of fun but they were even more special this year,” Lawrence said.

The YMCA fall festival events turned into drive-thru trunk or treats this year! Salem held one in the Salem Civic Center parking lot and Kirk held one in its parking lot! Businesses and groups decorated vehicles with fun themes and handed out candy. Families got to drive-thru and get candy without getting out of the car! My kids and others enjoyed seeing all of the different themes, decorations, and costumes! They also got a good amount of candy (definite sugar high at bedtime!)!

YMCA leaders were pleased with the events this year! YMCA Vice-President of Marketing and Communications Brittany Madonna said, “The Drive-Thru Trunk-or-Treat held at the Salem Civic Center on October 27 took the place of the Annual Fall Festival held at the Salem Family YMCA. Even though it was a different year, we were thrilled to see the community come out to support this event with over 500 cars coming through. Each car was given the opportunity to vote for their favorite trunk and Mario and Crew received the most votes! The Kirk Family YMCA also held a Drive-Thru Trunk-or-Treat on October 30 in the Y’s parking lot. We had around 300 cars attend this event. There was no voting at this event so all the trunks were winners!”

The Roanoke County Libraries also handed out candy at several libraries on days leading up to Halloween! My kids have missed going to the library, so this was a fun way to visit the library and get some candy (and a book)! Roanoke County Library posted on its Facebook page, “Children of all ages had fun this weekend at our Curbside Trick or Treating event. Thank you for joining us to celebrate this sweet holiday.”

I hope everyone had a fun Halloween and got all the candy you desire!

If you have a place or event for Roaming Roanoke to visit this fall or holiday season, please let me know!

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Angela Evans

Angela Evans is a former tv reporter turned stay-at-home mom. She and her husband Cody have three children. They moved to Virginia in 2018. When she’s not Roaming Roanoke, she is probably drinking sweet tea, reading a book or dancing.