The COVID-19 pandemic is keeping Los Angeles County residents from enjoying many customs associated with Halloween, but the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce is doing its best to keep the spirit of the holiday alive.
Residents are encouraged to participate in two contests hosted by the Chamber, the first of which is a pumpkin carving/decorating contest. Each person can enter one pumpkin at the HouseAmerica Financial office at 1010 Foothill Blvd. from Tuesday, Oct. 27-Thursday, Oct. 29. Winners will be announced on Halloween and have a donation made in their name to a charity of their choice. Participants are required to wear a mask when entering HouseAmerica and are asked to not include any candles or electrical devices in their pumpkins.
The Chamber is also hosting a decorating contest for LCF homes and businesses. Participants must pay a $20 entry fee and register on the Chamber website by Wednesday, Oct. 28. Judges will evaluate each home and business from Thursday, Oct. 29-Friday, Oct. 30. The winners will be announced on Halloween and receive prize packages.
Gatherings and events — such as haunted house attractions — are currently not allowed by the county, and health officials, as well as LCF officials, have discouraged door-to-door trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating, in which children go from car to car to receive treats.
“This year, Halloween, like so many other holidays and events, is being seriously limited by the orders from L.A. County Public Health,” said Pat Anderson, Chamber president and CEO. “And, a reminder for everyone to please follow the health department orders to keep us safe and healthy. 2021 is not that far away, and we will get there stronger and healthier than ever before.”
A popular tradition for LCF residents is to trick or treat on Indianola Way, which is usually closed to through traffic the evening of Halloween to accommodate more than 1,000 visitors in costumes.
Unfortunately for locals, City Manager Mark Alexander said on Tuesday that the city is in discussions with residents living on Indianola Way and “it looks like that event won’t be happening this year.”
“That’s obviously a difficult situation as we continue this pandemic and everything else,” said LCF Mayor Mike Davitt. It’s tough, but we need to be as prudent as we can.”
For more information about the Chamber’s Halloween events, visit lacanadaflintridge.com.
Chamber’s Contests to Provide Halloween-Season Fun
