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 The day began with the annual Trick or Treat with the
Mayor. The format for this event was changed dramatically, but it
worked out well.
Dressed as the Cat in the Hat, Acting Mayor Tracy
Welch and wife Annette greeted families in Latham Park at the
bandstand. Each family received a map of downtown participating
businesses. Each child received a sweet treat from the Mayor Welch.
Then they were encouraged to go on their way staying in family
groups, wearing their face masks and observing social distancing.
The Welchs’ said that the event was off to a good start at 10:30
a.m. Saturday morning. Having started at 10 a.m. Annette noted that
they had already handed out 90 treats and there were still more
children coming.
The downtown businesses enjoyed the set up as families came in small
groups. Each group chose whether to begin their route at Abe’s
Carmelcorn on Kickapoo Street or at the Pink Shutter on north
McLean. Some families chose to get back into their cars and go to
the heart of the city and work their way out.
Most of the time, there was very little congestion, and it was well
noted that the majority of the children wore their virus protection
masks along with or instead of their Halloween masks.
The business owners were very happy with the way the event had gone,
and found they even had a little more time to interact with kids and
parents with this revised format.
Trick or treat night ran from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday evening.
Some trick or treaters noted that there were fewer porch lights on
this year, which came as no surprise to many.
However, there were other activities in town to make
up for it, including a wonderful event at Faith Assembly Church on
Nicholson Road in Lincoln.
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Faith Assembly has a very large outdoor space next to
the church. On Saturday night tables were set up with lots of
distance between each one. At the tables, representatives for other
churches in town, local businesses, Lincoln College and the YMCA,
just to name a few offered all kinds of treats and gifts for
children.
The Salvation Army was on hand offering bags of
groceries to anyone who asked for one.
There was a marshmallow roasting station with two fire pits and
sticks provided. Kids could roast their own, or have a volunteer do
it for them.
DeMarchi’s Espresso truck out of Washington was also on hand
offering free warm beverages for visitors and their full line of
beverages for sale.
Across town, Copper Creek Cottages was offering a
drive through trick or treat event. Because of the corona virus,
residents were not participating in the event, but staff was set up
outside under the drive-thru awning. As cars came through, each
child received a bag of treats from staff.
With the safe alternatives, this year the kids in Lincoln surely had
the opportunity to enjoy an age-old tradition in a somewhat modified
manner. This has been a year of cancellations, so it was good to see
one tradition that did not have to bite the dust due to the virus.
[Nila Smith]
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