A NEW HALLOWEEN PARTNERSHIP between Cairo Main Street and Roddenbery Memorial Library has resulted in a new version of Boo on Broad this year. Instead, a trunk-or-treat event will take place behind the library. The Grady County Sheriff’s Office is also hosting a similar event. Pictured, l-r, Patsy Pallone (R.M.L. children’s coordinator), Alyssa Blakley (Cairo Main Street director) and Janet Boudet (R.M.L. director).
Downtown Cairo officials have announced that the popular Boo on Broad Halloween event will not take place this year, due to public health concerns, but new events are emerging to take its place.
“This cancellation we understand is a major disappointment to the community, as so many look forward to and attend this event each year,” said Alyssa Blakley, Cairo Main Street director.
Blakley said the decision was made after consulting with downtown businesses, Cairo Main Street Board of Directors, government officials, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.).
There are at least two trunk-or-treat activities for the public that are planned for Thursday, Oct. 29, one sponsored by the Grady County Sheriff’s Office and the other by a partnership of Cairo Main Street and Roddenbery Memorial Library.
The Main Street and library trunk-or-treat will take place 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. in the Davis Park parking lot behind the library, “just one block over from Broad Street in downtown Cairo,” Blakley said.
There will also be room for up to 25 total businesses or organizations to set up decorations in the parking lot and hand out candy to vehicles driving slowly through.
Blakley said, “I was really excited to get the call from the library and learn their interest to host this event. We agreed to form a partnership this year so that we can make this an even safer alternative for Boo on Broad and hope the community will support the temporary replacement.”
Cars will be asked to enter the parking lot at the end nearest the Woman’s Club and Davis Park.
For more information about the free event, or to get information on participating as a vendor, call the library at (229) 377-3632.
The Grady County Sheriff’s Office’s “Boo With the Blue” will begin at 3 p.m. and last until 6 p.m. at the sheriff’s office, 115 16th Ave., N.E.
Cars will be asked to enter from North Broad Street and exit out Long Branch Church Road.
Traditional residential trick-or-treating will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, at participating homes.
The C.D.C. has suggested that families find alternate ways to participate in Halloween other than trick-or-treating, but has issued guidance to make the activity “safer” for those who take part.
Suggestions from the C.D.C. include: avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters; give out treats outside; set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take; wash hands before handling treats; wear a mask.
Ideas for trick-or-treaters include: make the cloth mask part of the costume; remember a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask; and costume masks should not be worn over a cloth mask as that could make breathing more difficult; masks should not be worn by children under the age of 2 or by anyone who has trouble breathing; stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live in the same house; have hand sanitizer to use after touching objects and other people; and wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when they return home and before eating any treats.
