by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur community has planned the following activities for Halloween (Oct. 31) and invites all costumed youngsters and their families to participate:
From 2 to 4 p.m., the final Saturday of Gouverneur Public Library’s Fall Fest will feature Halloween fun complete with a costume parade, dance contest and other Spooktacular Halloween activities at Harvest Town Corn Maze, 1580 US Highway 11, Gouverneur. All youth are invited to participate in the fun. All CDC and NYSDOH guidelines will be followed amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Social distancing rules will apply. See the library’s website or Facebook page for updates. Oct. 31 is also the last day local residents can donate non-perishable food to the Great Give Back, hosted by the Gouverneur Public Library, at local stores. All food donated with be distributed to families in need through the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center. The public is greatly encouraged to donate.
From 4 to 6 p.m., Parkstead Gouverneur will be holding its Trunk N Treat for the whole Gouverneur community at 500 Sleepy Hollow Road, Gouverneur. All CDC and NYSDOH guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis will apply. Those passing out treats will wear gloves and face masks, and hand sanitizer will be available at every station. Staff members will ensure the safety of all throughout the event. Families must attend the event together and remain socially distanced to other families by six feet. Photos will be taken of the families and posted on the Parkstead Gouverneur Facebook page. All those who are interested in passing out candy or those who have questions are urged to call Parkstead Gouverneur at 315-287-3163.
From 5 to 7 p.m., the Village of Gouverneur has set guidelines for trick or treaters not to set out before 5 p.m. or after 7 p.m. amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Those who wish to indicate their participation status are urged to turn on their porch light. The Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees encourages all residents to follow all CDC and NYSDOH guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
At 7:30 p.m., Harvest Town Corn Maze will host its final spooky Haunted Hay Wagon Ride at its 1580 US Highway 11, Gouverneur, location. Tickets can only be purchased at the command center at Harvest Town. For more information on the Haunted Hay Wagon Rides, visit the Harvest Town Corn Maze Facebook page.
It is also noted that on Wednesday, October 28 that Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 hosted a Halloween themed Drive-In Bingo for all local youth. More will be reported on that event in next week’s edition of the Gouverneur Tribune Press.
The parade that was scheduled by Gouverneur Central to be held on Thursday, October 29 was postponed when GCSD went to remote learning this past week amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. A future date will be reported when it is made available to the Gouverneur Tribune Press.
In other communities, Halloween activities have also been announced.
From 5 to 7 p.m., the DeKalb Junction Fire Department will make their way throughout the community and hand out prepackaged candy bags to all the costumed youngsters.
From 5 to 7 p.m., the Village of Richville Board has set guidelines for trick or treaters. “After discussion at the Village Meeting it was decided that trick or treating will take place on Saturday, October 31, 2020, 5pm to 7pm. Please make sure those who wish to participate and pass out candy, have a porch light on. Also, please have a conversation with your children letting them know that any houses that do not have porch lights on are not participating. The board felt that this should be left to each individual if they feel safe enough to pass out candy.” All are encouraged to be safe and enjoy the holiday.
From 5 to 9 p.m., the Town of Hermon has set guidelines for trick or treaters. “We ask that those homes who are participating by offering treats to trick or treaters do so by having their outside lights on. Those who are not participating should leave outside lights off. Both families trick or treating and those handing out candy and treats should use common sense in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we have only had three infections in the Town of Hermon this year, that is related to the ongoing common sense and use of proper precautions by many of our citizens. Let's allow our children to have a great Halloween and do our very best to keep them safe while doing so!” Trick or treaters are encouraged to follow the CDC and NYSDOH guidelines and to maintain to the 5 to 9 p.m. time set by the Town of Hermon Council.
No further Halloween activities crossed the news desk at the Gouverneur Tribune Press by press deadline this week. All are encouraged to send pictures of costumed youngsters to gouvtribunepress@gmail.com for inclusion in an upcoming edition. Deadline is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3.