Weiser businesses are hosting Halloween festivities on Saturday

Halloween is a popular holiday in the United States, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced festivities to look a bit different this year.
 With annual events such as the Onion Skin Players’ Spooktacular haunted house cancelled, other events continue with an air of caution. The trick-or-treat in downtown Weiser is continuing, as well as the Weiser Christian Church’s trunk or treat. Carlena Myers’ trunk or treat was also held Saturday. Weiser Christian Church has partnered with the organizers of the Vendome event and are continuing their trunk or treat, moving it to the Weiser High School parking lot to allow for space.
 Her tenth year hosting trunk or treat, Myers said she decided to continue this year to give children an opportunity to enjoy themselves on Halloween. Serving food like chili and hot dogs, people enjoyed a warm meal while competing for best decorated trunk and handing out candy. Prizes from Myers as well as Weiser Classic Candy and Idaho Pizza were given to winners. The event was held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in both the Weiser Christian Church and Carlena’s Eyeball Ink parking lots.
 “Especially this year, I think [kids] really need it,” said Myers. “I do [think it’s good for the community.]”
 Several businesses have confirmed with the Weiser Chamber of Commerce their participation on October 31, including Weiser Signal American, Weiser Classic Candy, Mystic Sisters, and Legends on Main.
 Some businesses are also adding to the festivities. Legends on Main will be hosting a Halloween party for adults beginning at 8 p.m. and will have two costume contests. The contest for children will be held at 7 p.m. with the first-place winner receiving $50. The contest for adults will be held at 10 p.m. with the first-place winner receiving $100.
 Weiser Classic Candy, as well as other businesses, will be handing out candy and treats to children that visit the store starting at 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For Classic Candy, a special “treat” is made that is unique every year and will be handed out to visitors. There will be one-way traffic organized to provide extra safety and allow for social distancing.
 “This is one of those, in my opinion, quintessential Weiser activities,” said Patrick Nauman, owner of Weiser Classic Candy. “It’s business owners from all over the community coming together for the greater good and supporting our youth and supporting our community.”
 The Christian Church’s trunk or treat is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Halloween at the high school parking lot. Normally held at the Christian Church, the larger parking lot will allow for a more spacious area as well as giving the safest option for families attending. The event will be held outside to also allow for safety. Cars participating in the trunk or treat are asked to arrive at 5:30 p.m. to prepare. Extra candy will be on hand in case any trunk runs out.
 “We just wanted to do something to give something for the kids on Halloween,” said Lyndon Haines, an organizer for the Weiser Christian Church’s trunk or treat. “For the church…it’s one of the few things we do every year that’s just for the community. Yes, we want to be safe, but we also want to just provide something for these kids to get them back to normal.”
 Pastor Mark Burgess of Cornerstone Assembly of God and his wife will also be performing a clown ministry as Doulos and Checkers the clowns. Both were professionally trained in clown ministry in 1993 and will be performing some of their favorite skits and silly songs on Halloween. The two will be performing at 2 p.m. outside the church and will be free for all attending.
 Businesses and community organizations alike are making a collective effort to provide a sense of normalcy to Weiser’s youth this Halloween and community members are encouraged to participate if comfortable.