Before we get into this week’s news, here’s an update from each town about what trick-or-treating will look like this year. From Eastham to Provincetown, you’ll find “reverse” set ups, where candy deliveries reach costumed kids at home, drive-bys, outdoor walks that explore historic buildings and enchanted forests, a pumpkin carving contest, a drive-in style ghost storytelling slam, and even the occasional traditional neighborhood event, but with plans for masks and lots of distance between ghosts. (Photo Nancy Bloom)
Eastham
Police Offer Special Delivery
Eastham police will be responding to calls for treats with a reverse trick-or-treat program on Halloween from 3 to 6 p.m.
“We’re trying to give kids some sort of normalcy for that day,” said Police Chief Adam Bohannon.
Police officers will deliver a bag of candy for each youngster at the homes of families who sign up. “Our officers are excited to see some creative costumes,” said the announcement. Families may register by 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, by emailing their Eastham address, the number of children, and any allergy information to Det. Andi Murphy at [email protected].
No Place in the Parade
Registration is closed for the recreation dept.’s parade — no spots remain on their Halloween parade route. The parade starts at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Encounter Beach and proceeds to Great Pond and Campground Beach. Candy will be tossed from decorated vehicles, to children who are within designated spaces along the route.
Library StoryWalk and Scavenger Hunt
While the building remains closed to the public, Eastham’s library will be having a Halloween-themed StoryWalk outdoors during daylight hours on Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31. Adults accompanied by “a brave child or two” can take a stroll following the posted pages of a Halloween story. Visitors are invited to peek through the library’s windows as part of a scavenger hunt, where participants can search for Halloween-related items.
The scavenger hunt list is posted in the window near the front entrance and on the library’s website. —Linda Culhane
Wellfleet
Pumpkin Palooza
Wellfleet Preservation Hall holds its first-ever Pumpkin Palooza on Oct. 31. The event will happen outdoors, in the Hall’s back yard. “Get crafty and carve your best pumpkin and bring it to the Hall by 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30,” the invitation says, “and then come back on Saturday in your best costume and enjoy the display.” Pumpkins will be lit at dusk.
There will also be an installation of painted Halloween-themed 35mm slides, “Spooky Projections,” created by 13- and 14-year-old students of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum’s Youth Art Reach 101 class, taught by Wellfleet artist Megan Hinton.
Wellfleet Recreation Halloween Bash
On Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 4:30 p.m., Wellfleet will hold a Halloween party at the town pier with DJ Angel and other attractions.
To keep it socially distanced, pre-registration is required for assigned 30-minute time slots throughout the afternoon. Wear a costume and your mask.
To register, call Recreation Director Becky Rosenberg, (508) 349-0314.
An Enchanted Story Walk: Room on the Broom
The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is holding an Enchanted Story Walk from Wednesday, Oct. 28, to Saturday Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Follow the trail at Wellfleet Bay and enjoy a story in the great outdoors. This self-guided event is geared to toddlers to early readers, but all are welcome. Members visit free; sanctuary visitors are asked to pay the daily use fee. —Nina West
Truro
Library Goodies
The Truro Public Library is hosting a “Halloween Grab and Go” on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will be handing out grab bags with a book, activity sheets, stickers, and other treats. To reserve a pick-up time, email [email protected] or call 508-487-1125. While you are there, look in the windows; you might see some spooky figures peering back out at you.
Ghost Stories
Payomet Performing Arts Center is doing a Halloween-themed Mosquito Story Slam on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. at its Ballfield Drive-in. Have a scary story to tell? Email [email protected] with a short pitch, or just enjoy the event as an audience member. Payomet also continues its run of Scout: A Cirque Scary-Tale with showings Friday and Wednesday.
A Pumpkin Carving Contest
Though rec’s contest deadline has passed, pumpkins will be on display at the Truro Community Center through Nov. 6., with prizes for the scariest, funniest, and most creative designs via Facebook live on Friday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m.
Drive-Bys
Truro and Provincetown Recreation, along with the Truro and Provincetown police and fire depts., are hosting “You Trick, We Treat: A Reverse Halloween Experience.” They’re delivering candy to doorsteps in both towns on Thursday, Oct. 29. Did you sign up? The deadline was Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Here’s another possibility: the Truro Council on Aging is hosting a drive-through “Halloween Sweet Treat” on Friday, Oct. 30, from 1 to 2 p.m. Truro residents may come in their cars to the Truro Community Center, where staff wearing costumes will be handing out candy. —Saskia Maxwell Keller
Provincetown
Nelson Avenue 2020
If you think a pandemic can stop the trick-or-treating and over-the-top Halloween decorations on Nelson Ave., you don’t know these townies.
Halloween trick-or-treating is a neighborhood tradition here, where home owners outdo one another with elaborate decorations. Shannon Sawyer of 27 Nelson Ave. said that she and partner Mike Potenza have devised a one-way entrance and exit to her spooky spread. They will be handing out candy with tongs. Many other neighbors are getting into the spirit, too, she said. But, Sawyer added, parents will have to be responsible and watch their kids, to prevent them from crowding together.
“It has to be a socially distanced Halloween,” Potenza said.
Take a Spooky Tour
Provincetown Recreation’s Spook-Tac-U-Tour is on through Nov. 1. Using QR codes on smart phones, participants can learn about haunting local history around town. The tour begins at the Provincetown School at 12 Winslow St. Look for the QR codes on bright orange paper and scan them with a phone camera. The historical information is provided by David Dunlap, author of Building Provincetown.
If you don’t have a phone, hard copies of the clues can be obtained by calling 508-487-7097.
Treats to Your Door
If you signed up by Tuesday, Oct. 27, you’ll be in on Truro and Provincetown’s “You Trick, We Treat,” where Recreation, along with the Truro and Provincetown police and fire, will be delivering bags of candy to doorsteps in both towns on Thursday, Oct. 29.
Skeleton Dance
On Oct. 31, there’s “Nightmare at the Boatslip,” a Halloween Tea Dance, starting at 4 p.m. Participate via Zoom or in person at 161 Commercial St. Music by DJ Maryalice. Get the link on the Boatslip’s Facebook page. —K.C. Myers
