The Parks and Recreation Department’s Market Monster Mash has been rescheduled for Friday, Nov. 1; however, Halloween trick-or-treating in Danville will continue to be observed on Thursday, Oct. 31. There is no change in the date for annual trick-or-treating activities despite the weather forecast for rain showers and possibly thunderstorms.
The City observes Halloween each year on Oct. 31, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.
The Market Monster Mash originally was scheduled for Thursday, but moved to Friday. The event will be held on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Community Market. Admission into the event is free; there will be food and vendor items available for purchase.
For trick-or-treating activities on Thursday, citizens are urged to take safety precautions and use common sense so that children enjoy the boo, and avoid the boo-boos.
To assist in making the night a success for the entire family, SafeKids.org provides the following tips:
Walk Safely
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
- Put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
- Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
- Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to
- the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
- Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Costumes for a Safe Halloween
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
- Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
- Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
- When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Drive Extra Safely on Halloween
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Take the extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, and on curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
- Get rid of any distractions - like your phone - in your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
- Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Be especially alert for kids during those hours.