Some neighbors have been wondering about Halloween and trick-or-treating traditions in the neighborhood. Traditionally, trick-or-treating happens in the neighborhood on on Halloween itself.
The general time frame is 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 31.
NextDoor has posted its annual treat map, and you can see which houses are participating in the holiday and also sign your house up to indicate if you are decorating and/or handing out treats. https://nextdoor.com/treat_map
The Teal Pumpkin Project
For children, Halloween is an exciting time of the year with house decorations, costumes, and candy overflowing from plastic jack-o-lantern buckets. Yet, for the one in thirteen children with food allergies and their parents, Halloween trick-or-treating can bring out a serious and real fear.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is an initiative to make trick-or-treating more inclusive for children living with food allergies and other food intolerances by encouraging neighborhoods and families to offer food allergy safe goodies on Halloween. Families can indicate if their house is food allergen-friendly by displaying a teal pumpkin on their porch or in their window. The pumpkin can be a real, painted pumpkin or just a printed-out graphic pasted on the door.
Available at dollar stores, party supply stores, or online shops, there are many low-cost items that can be purchased and handed out to all trick-or-treaters, or made available in a separate bowl from candy if you choose to hand out both options. Nearly all of these items can be found in a Halloween theme or festive colors.
- Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
- Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
- Bubbles
- Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
- Mini Slinkies
- Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
- Bouncy balls
- Finger puppets or novelty toys
- Coins
- Spider rings
- Vampire fangs
- Mini notepads
- Playing cards
- Bookmarks
- Stickers
- Stencils
You can also register your individual house as a safe place for kids with food allergies so that parents who are using the Teal Pumpkin Project Map can feel more comfortable and less stressed letting their child go door-to-door collecting allergy friendly treats. If you have questions or would like additional information, visit the https://www.foodallergy.org, or contact our Teal Pumpkin Project neighborhood captain, Mary Vess (maryfvess@gmail.com).
Other area Halloween events
Other Halloween events in the neighborhood, or nearby:
Lush Plant Co., 317 W. Hill Street in Oakhurst, is holding a Pumpkin Patch and Fall Fest this coming weekend, October 23 and 24, with a Fall photo area, pumpkin painting, and other activities. With pumpkins, gourds, pumpkin pies and King of Pops for sale. Das BBQ will be on hand on Sunday. Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24 from noon to 5 p.m.
The Dekalb History Center presents its Ghostly Night at the Courthouse from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 28 at the Old Courthouse on the Decatur Town Square, 101 E Court Square.
https://www.visitdecaturgeorgia.com/visit/page/ghostly-night-courthouse for more information.
The Grave Affair 2021 Halloween Event is taking place from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 30 at East View Cemetery, Fourth Avenue Southeast in East. Kids’ activities, a silent auction, raffles, live music and limited food menu offered by Poor Hendrix. Check out https://www.eastviewcemetery.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/EastLakeGraveAffair for more information.
https://www.atlantaparent.com/best-halloween-events-near-me-atlanta/ has a round-up of other area Halloween events.
Halloween Events at Dekalb Recreation Centers
The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host several Halloween events at various recreation centers, October 28 through 31. All events are free to attend and will include trunk or treats, face painting, games, costume contests and more. The public is invited and children are encouraged to wear costumes.
Thursday, Oct. 28
- N.H. Scott Recreation Center, 2230 Tilson Road, Decatur, GA 30032, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 644 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale, GA 30079, 6 – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 29
- Exchange Intergenerational Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30034, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Gresham Recreation Center, 3113 Gresham Road, Atlanta, GA 30316, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Hamilton Recreation Center, 3263 Chapel Street, Scottdale, GA 30079, 5:00 – 7 p.m.
- Lucious Sanders Recreation Center, 2484 Bruce Street, Lithonia, GA 30058, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Free admission.
Saturday, Oct. 30
- Midway Recreation Center and DeKalb Police Athletic League Plus, 3181 Midway Road, Decatur, Ga 30032, 12:00 -4:00 p.m.
- Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips Road, Lithonia, GA 30058. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 31
- Mason Mill Recreation Center and The Friends of Mason Mill Park, 1340-B McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA 30033, 3:00 – 7 p.m.
For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, public relations specialist at, (404)710-6331 or lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov.
Trick-or-Treat Safely
Other trick-or-treating recommendations from Dekalb County:
Remember that COVID-19 has not gone away. Wear masks, maintain safe distancing between trick-or-treaters, and anyone who is eligible to be vaccinated should be vaccinated before heading out on a trick-or-treating expedition. Find official guidelines related to COVID-19 here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Here are some additional safety tips for celebrating Halloween safely:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/10/02/trick-treating-safe-halloween-amid-covid/5932385001/
Also check out https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/halloween-safety/art-20044976 for additional guidelines and considerations.
Be safe and cautious when out trick-or-treating and encourage your children to follow general pedestrian safety rules, such as:
- Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
- Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
- If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
- Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
- Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
- If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
- Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.
- Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
See https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety for more info.
Do you know of any other Halloween events going on in or around Midway Woods? Email us and let us know at midwaywoodscommunications@gmail.com and we will add them to this list.