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ELKINS -- With Halloween fast approaching, area youngsters are in the midst of trying to decide what costume to wear then they venture out into the streets in search of sweets.
Trick-or-treating, which has been a time-honored tradition in North America since the 1920s, appears to be a full go in most cities and towns throughout the area, after several locations were forced to cancel in 2020 due to COVID-19 precautions. With active-case coronavirus numbers declining locally, the green light has been lit for children to enjoy the Halloween custom.
Most local trick-or-treating will be done on Halloween night, Sunday, Oct. 31, but several locations have scheduled trick or treat for Saturday, Oct. 30, including Parsons, Buckhannon, Philippi, Davis and Mill Creek.
Trick-or-treating in Elkins, Belington, Coalton, Huttonsville, Pickens, Harman, Beverly, and Whitmer will take place the following night on Halloween.
A full listing of trick or treat nights and times can be found on page A3 of today's edition.
"We're happy that the kids in Elkins will be able to go out and trick or treat on Halloween," City of Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco told The Inter-Mountain Wednesday. "They really need a break and some kind of normalcy in their lives right now, so hopefully being able to go out and trick-or-treat will provide some of that.
"It's a part of your memory back from when you were growing up as a child – going from house-to-house seeing who could get the most and best treats."
Marco expects many more children to hit the streets this year.
"We are encouraging people that if they feel comfortable handing out treats to do so," Marco said. "If not, we respect that, too. It's just one of those things you have to do what you're comfortable with. But we always enjoy seeing the kids come through the neighborhood with all the different costumes on."
Even though trick-or-treating can be fun for the entire family, officials are asking participants to be careful.
"I'm expecting a much bigger turnout for trick-or-treating this year after so many folks stayed home last year, so we're all going to need to pay attention and help make sure it's a safe night for everyone," Elkins Police Chief Travis Bennett told The Inter-Mountain.
"The biggest hazard on Halloween night is traffic. Drivers need to remember there are going to be lots of excited kids out on the streets. Please drive slowly and carefully, especially on side streets where kids are more likely to be trick-or-treating."
Bennett said parents need to make sure costumes are safe before allowing kids to venture out into the night.
"Parents, please double check your children's costumes to make sure masks aren't blocking their vision," Bennett said. "And also consider adding reflective tape to dark-colored costumes. I want everyone to have a fun night and get home safe, so let's all pitch in and look out for each other."