LINNEUS, Maine — Though this year’s Halloween may be in limbo due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Linneus children still got an opportunity to celebrate many festivities of costumes, candy, and party games.
The three-hour ‘Hello-Ween’ Fall Festival was held Saturday, Sept. 27, at Linneus’ baseball field and was organized by the Linneus Recreation Department. Some kids arrived costumed, dressed up as figures such as Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen” and SpongeBob SquarePants.
“With everything going on, we wanted to kind of play it safe and still do something that’s practicing social distancing,” said Josh Murchie, the director of the Linneus Recreation Department. “We wanted to do something for the kids, getting them together.”
Around 100 pumpkins were donated by Sunnyside Farms, and kids sat in socially distanced groups with their families to work on painting them. Goody bags containing several different types of candy, as well as fake vampire teeth and glasses with fake eyeballs, were provided.
There were many kids playing on sanitized hula hoops, and games such as limbo were also played. Kids had their photos taken on bales of hay next to prop skeletons.
“It was kind of a group effort,” Murchie said. “We decided to just do something small.”
Michelle Hendersen, who came to the event with her two children Hayden, 5, and Emma, 6, said she was happy there was an outdoor event where she was able to bring her kids.
“I feel like it’s long overdue for the kids,” she said. “It gives them the chance to run around outside and play.”
“With COVID still going on, it’s nice to be able to do things outside,” agreed Tina Bennett, who also attended the event with her two kids Lena and Austin, ages 7 and 6, respectively. “The volunteers did a good job of putting it all together.”
From left, siblings Dana, 4, and Dean, 6, attend the Hello-Ween Fall Festival dressed as Princess Elsa and SpongeBob SquarePants, respectively. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Lillith Hughes, 9, attends the Hello-Ween Fall Festival with her dog, an 18-year-old Pomeranian-Chihuahua named Missy. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Elliana Hutchinson, age 4, plays with a hula hoop and fake glasses at the Hello-Ween Fall Festival. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Hayden Hendersen, age 5 (left), and Austin Bennett, age 6, work on painting pumpkins provided by Sunnyside Farms at the Hello-Ween Fall Festival. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Emma Hendersen, age 6, eats some of her candy from a goody bag at the Hello-Ween Fall Festival in Linneus. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Glandan Potter, age 14, demonstrates his skill on one of the hula hoops at the Hello-Ween Fall Festival in Linneus. (Alexander MacDougall | Houlton Pioneer Times)
