Events planned in Hanging Dog, Murphy and Peachtree
Halloween traditions will continue this year, as costumed children gather to collect treats across Cherokee County.
Trunk or Treat will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Main Street will be closed from the Andrews Public Library to Andrews Town Hall starting at 3 p.m. The Andrews Chamber of Commerce is asking anyone to wants to participate by handing out treats to set up their trunk or table or both by 3 p.m.
For safety reasons, those handing out treats are asked to either to personally hand items to children or leave items individually on a table for children to select. Jan Olson, executive director of the chamber, said they do not want multiple hands grabbing treats from a container.
“We’re trying to keep this very safe and very clean,” she said. “We’re trying to think of everything.”
Everyone participating is highly encouraged to wear a face covering. The chamber will provide hand sanitizer at various locations. And everyone is encouraged to wear a costume, of course.
If it rains, Trunk or Treat will be inside the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center at 125 Chestnut St. There will be one entrance in and another entrance out to help keep everyone safe.
Olson was happy the chamber could find safe changes to continue the annual tradition.
“I think Halloween, when I was a kid, was a special day, it was fun day,” she said. ”It’s giving back, or watching the kids have the same great time I had a kid.”
While Halloween is not canceled in Murphy, it may look a little different this year. Mayor Rick Ramsey said he is advising against door-to-door trick-or-treating, but the town does not have the authority to prevent the tradition.
“I want kids to have a great Halloween, but I want them to stay healthy,” Ramsey said. He recommended that families check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website for guidelines for low-risk Halloween activities. The town does not plan to block traffic on any roads Halloween night, but town officers will be patrolling neighborhoods to watch out for families who do decide to participate in trick-or-treating.
“Eyes and ears will be out there,” Ramsey said. “We just want everyone to be safe.”
He added that local businesses can still hand out treats.
“There’s nothing in the law, nor should it be,” Ramsey added.
He said his young grandchildren have not given him their opinions on his Halloween advice, yet. However, residents along Duke Street, Murphy’s most popular neighborhood for trick or treating, say they will be handing out candy from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31, so be safe but come on down.
Organized local Halloween activities include:
- Shepherd of the Mountains Trunk or Treat from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the church building, 68 Fairfax Drive, above Eller & Owens Furniture in Murphy. For details, call 837-4276.
- Hanging Dog Volunteer Fire Department Trunk or Treat with candy, games and fun at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at 3839 Hanging Dog Road, north of Murphy. For details, call 644-4421.
- Peachtree Volunteer Fire & Rescue Halloween 2020 with individually bagged candy at 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at 155 Upper Peachtree Road, south of Murphy. For details, call 837-0381.