Chamber presents drive-in movie as trick-or-treating alternative

Trick-or-treating has been a downtown tradition in Bigfork for many years, but this year, many businesses are opting out of distributing candy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce is not promoting the event due to rising rates of the virus throughout the valley and have instead decided to host a drive-in movie night on Halloween. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued holiday guidelines that grouped most traditional Halloween activities as higher risk events, including traditional trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating, indoor costume parties and haunted houses.

Chamber executive director Rebekah King said most downtown business owners didn’t want to encourage bringing a large group of children, many of whom come from other communities in the valley, into the narrow downtown corridor. In a typical year, between 300-500 trick-or-treaters descended on Bigfork, many of whom are drawn to the town for it’s quaint, homey feel. But King encourages would-be trick-or-treaters to stay closer to home this Halloween for the safety of the community.

“I think everyone can acknowledge that this has been a very strange year and right now our priority is to do whatever we can to keep all of our businesses open with minimal restrictions and to make sure that Bigfork Schools can continue with in-person learning,” King said.

She also noted that many business owners along Electric Avenue are older people and therefore fall into the higher risk category for developing severe symptoms of the coronavirus. Due to widespread staffing shortages, there is also concern within the business community about having to close up shop if their employees had to quarantine.

But not all downtown employees share King’s level of concern.

Clearwater Properties assistant Patricia Landon said her office is preparing to pass out candy to any trick-or-treaters that do make their way to Bigfork. She said Clearwater staff will be wearing masks and gloves and practicing social distancing. They’ll also funnel kids into their office one at a time -- similar to a cafeteria line, she said.

“We decided to because there will be children downton who still want to participate and we don't want them to be disappointed,” Landon explained. “We want them to still have a good time despite the virus.”

The coronavirus has climbed steadily in the Flathead Valley, which reported 123 cases on Tuesday alone for a total of 2,658 cases to date with 1,308 designated as active. On Monday, the Flathead City-County Health Department said the recent surge in cases have been linked to social gatherings in indoor spaces and large events like birthday parties, weddings and group dinners.

Flathead City-County Health Department’s Interim Health Officer Tamalee St. James Robinson urged community members to take steps to prevent further spread of the virus.

“The growing rate of COVID-19 in our community is not sustainable for our healthcare system, our public health staff, and our schools,” she said. “We have to decide what is more important- social gatherings or keeping our schools and businesses open. It is up to all of us to slow the spread.”

King noted that despite the risks, some families will still choose to trick-or-treat downtown, but the chamber is also offering an alternative event this year in the form of a drive-in movie. The films will be screened in the Bigfork High School parking lot on Saturday Oct. 31, with the 1993 comedy classic "Hocus Pocus” kicking off at 5:30 p.m., followed by “Beetlejuice” at 8:15 p.m.

“We’re really just looking for a way to add value to a community, to give the comm something to do that's fun, that brings everyone together in a way that’s safe for the times that we are in,” King said.

Attendees are asked to arrive no more than one hour before start time and to don a mask or equivalent face covering anytime they are out of their vehicles. There will be restroom facilities on site, along with a number of local food trucks. No alcohol will be sold at the event because it takes place on school property. And while there is no formal admission fee, guests are asked to make a $5 donation per movie, per vehicle. The chamber is still seeking volunteers and sponsors for the event to help cover the costs of the screen, which will be provided by Montana Big Screen, porta-potties and film licensing fees. Attendees can come for just one film or enjoy both features.

“We had different ideas for an event outside of traditional trick or treating,” King said. “This one seemed to be the one that would bring the most people, really allow for social distancing and still provide that Halloween family fun environment.”

Reporter Kianna Gardner contributed to this report.

BREAKOUT

Steps for a safer Halloween

The CDC does not recommend partaking in traditional trick-or-treating this year due to the risks of spreading COVID-19. Trick-or-treating, along with costume parties and trunk-or-treat events are considered high-risk activities. Instead, the CDC recommends low-risk ways of celebrating Halloween, including:

Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them

Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends

Decorating your house, apartment, or living space

Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance

Having a virtual Halloween costume contest

Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with

Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

For those who still decide to trick-or-treat this year, the CDC offers these guidelines:

Make trick-or-treating safer

Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.

Give out treats outdoors, if possible.

Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.

Wash hands before handling treats.

Wear a mask.

Wear a mask

Make your cloth mask part of your costume.

A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.

Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.

Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing

Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you

Indoors and outdoors, you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a long time.

Wash your hands

Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.

Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Parents: supervise young children using hand sanitizer.

Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.