Ghosts And Goblins Set To Visit The Sandy Springs Farmers Market On Halloween

Press release from City of Sandy Springs:

10/06/2020

While the thought of no Halloween goodies is scary to many, the coronavirus pandemic is changing many Halloween traditions. To enable families with young children the chance to trick-or-treat, but avoid door-to-door contact, the City of Sandy Springs is hosting a Halloween-themed Farmers Market with trick-or-treat options for families of young children.

The Sandy Springs Farmers Market, which takes place each Saturday, April through November, at City Springs, will take on a Halloween theme Saturday, October 31, 2020. Ghosts and goblins will fly in, with free pumpkin carving templates to take home, vignettes for family photos, and scheduled trick-or-treating opportunities for families with children under the age of seven.

“COVID-19 has changed the way we can interact in public and has removed many traditional events from the calendar, but it can’t dim our community spirit. This year’s ghostly farmers market retains the essence of Halloween in an environment in keeping with the safety considerations needed during today’s pandemic,” said Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul.

On October 31, 2020, the Sandy Springs Farmers Market will be open from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. Halloween-themed vignettes will decorate the City Green, providing a photo backdrop for families and their young costumed characters to visit at their leisure. Families wishing to trick-or-treat can do so during the following set times, scheduled by age groups to assist with minimizing crowd sizes.

• 9:30 – 10:30 am – children up to two years old
• 11:00 am – 11:30 am – children three to five years old
• Noon – 12:30 pm – children five to seven years old

Parents with children in multiple age groups are asked to select one time within their eligible grouping for the entire family. Social distancing will be enforced, and all participants are reminded of the mask ordinance in place in Sandy Springs. No purchase is necessary for children to receive trick-or-treats.

In addition, families looking for pumpkin carving ideas can take home a free template for a city-themed pumpkin design. The City is asking those who have unique pumpkins to share their carving designs using the hashtag - #SpookySandySprings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines for celebrating Halloween in a pandemic environment. Traditional trick-or-treating, where children go door to door; trunk-or-treat activities where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in parking lots; indoor costume parties; and hayrides are categorized as higher risk activities. Trick-or-treating, where individually wrapped goodies are handed out while maintaining social distancing, is considered a moderate risk activity. At home and virtual activities are considered lower risk activities.

This press release was produced by the City of Sandy Springs. The views expressed are the author's own.