Annual Halloween event still on
Robbinsville – After going through a proverbial roller-coaster of planning, the annual Trunk-or-Treat event will take place from 3-6 p.m. Saturday at Robbinsville High School.
Originally set to be hosted as a walk-through event on Main Street by the town, initial backlash – despite the announcement of COVID-19 protocols that would be enforced, such as required masks and social distancing – caused the town to pull the plug on its plans. Graham County Schools handed over hosting duties to the town after last year’s event, which was moved inside the Robbinsville Elementary School gymnasium, due to heavy rainfall.
However, once the town’s cancellation was announced, the school system stepped back in.
“I believe that the town made a wise decision to cancel the walk-through event, due to COVID,” Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight said. “In consultation with the health department and realizing that children have had their world turned upside down enough by the pandemic, we decided that we could offer a safer, outside, drive-through alternative.”
Meticulous planning has led to the following protocols being in place:
* Vehicles will only enter one way – at the Sweetwater Road entrance – and exit via the new road onto Rodney Orr Bypass.
* Vender booths will be spaced at least 20 feet apart.
* Treats will be handed into each vehicle by vendors – by means of trays and buckets – to minimize handling.
* Masks are mandatory for everyone.
* No one may exit their vehicle, at any time.
“We are planning for 700-800 children,” Knight added. “At this time, we have about 25 vendors, but we anticipate others joining before the event.”
For details on the event, call Knight at 479-9820.