Not trick-or-treating this year? Here are a few alternative ways to celebrate Halloween

While trick-or-treating in Hamilton has been given the green light, some families are choosing alternative Halloween celebrations this year.

Hamilton-area businesses, organizations and community groups are hosting virtual, distanced, outdoor and drive-thru events to preserve a favourite fall tradition amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not trick-or-treating this year? Consider a virtual pumpkin-carving contest, drive-thru trick-or-treating or an outdoor ghost walk instead.

Virtual and outdoor events

Typically, Ottawa Street shops open their doors to costume-wearing kids for an annual trick-or-treating event in October. This year, however, the community organization is hosting a virtual pumpkin carving contest in its place.

We have a lot of young families in the neighbourhood around here," said Maggie Burns, the BIA's event co-ordinator. It's an opportunity to see some familiar faces and kind of connect the community, and give everyone something to work on together."

Ottawa Street Farmers' Market vendors are donating more than 75 pumpkins for families to carve, she said. Pumpkins will be available for pickup - free of charge - on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Prizes - Halloween candy, T-shirts and tote bags - will be given for the scariest, the most creative and the funniest pumpkins. Burns said the BIA will be sharing photos of the entries on social media in the week leading up to Halloween.

I think we've got a lot going on in the world to work with," she said. Maybe someone could do a humorous take on 2020."

Burns said the BIA is also hosting a Halloween scavenger hunt that can be done on foot or by car.

Winners for both will be announced on Oct. 30.

Though most indoor Halloween parties are off the table, the Royal Botanical Gardens' is hosting a modified version of its annual Boos and Brews, an outdoor, adults-only costume party featuring music and craft beer. This year's event takes place Oct. 29.

The seventh annual Pumpkin Prowl, an event to bring families together, will look a little different this year. The event, which organizers are calling Upside Down Halloween, will be held virtually this year, and include live music, games, crafts and a dance party on Oct. 31. The Pumpkin Prowl will also include reverse trick-or-treating," meaning they will deliver candy to your door, instead of the other way around.

We will do our best to travel to as many homes as donations and volunteers allow, to bring some sort of Halloween cheer to families across Hamilton," the organization's website reads. Registration is required.

Ghost stories, local history and horror flicks

Ghost stories are one way to keep the Halloween spirit - or spirits - alive.

Ghost Walks, which takes people on foot to tour sites of dark, unsettling history in Hamilton, Niagara and Toronto, is offering modified versions of outdoor walks until Oct. 31.

Manager and tour guide Daniel Cumerlato said the downtown Hamilton tours, which start at the Royal Connaught Hotel, now private residences, are his favourites to lead.

The city has that rough feel to it," he said. And the ghost stories seem to follow suit."

Cumerlato said October tours, which are operating at half capacity, are booking up quickly.

Hamilton Public Library (HPL) is counting down to Halloween night with scary books, movies and music for both kids and adults with the 12 Days of Halloween. Through the library's discover-at-home program, kids can make unbeLEAFable" fall art or ooey gooey" slime, which is always a favourite," according to HPL spokesperson Shelley McKay.

HPL invites families to visit their local library branch for fall-themed displays and Halloween book collections, and see how many scarecrows you can spot outside the Westdale Branch.

Or, stay home and read about Hamilton's ghosts.

Catch a flick at Stoney Creek's Starlite Drive-in Theatre for their Triple Creature Feature, three back-to-back horror and Halloween-themed movies, on Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31. Showings come complete with loot bags, according to the theatre's website.

Drive-thru trick-or-treating

Instead of going door-to-door, families can trick-or-treat from the comfort of their cars.

Celebration Church in Brantford is hosting drive-thru trick-or-treating on Oct. 31 from 3 to 4 p.m. Donations can be made on Friday, Oct. 23, and Sunday, Oct. 25.

Six Nations of the Grand River is also hosting community drive-thru trick-or-treating on Oct. 30 between 4 and 7 p.m.

Halloween at home

If you prefer to spend Halloween at home, the City of Hamilton recommends a number of alternative Halloween activities, including outdoor scavenger hunts, pumpkin carving and a neighbourhood contest for the best-decorated house.

Burlington's mayor is encouraging residents to take advantage of the city's community support fund, designed to support recreation, arts and culture, to decorate homes and find alternative ways to celebrate Halloween.

CORRECTION: The article was updated Oct. 24 to correct the date of the Ottawa Street Farmers' Market pumpkin pickup.

Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com