How to Halloween in Headwaters

The countdown is on! Eager children all around York Durham Headwaters can’t wait for Halloween, and our region is brimming with ghosts, ghouls, goblins and witches—in decoration form, that is. But with the current public health situation requiring social distancing and minimized contact to keep us all safe, our traditional Halloween activities will look a little different this year. Vigilance is key to ensure that we limit our contact with one another, to in turn limit the spread of COVID-19. As a result, we’ve all had to come up with new and creative ways to find our dose of frightening fun this year.

Here in Headwaters Region, our businesses and attractions have been hard at work to keep the spooky thrills alive and thriving for 2021. If you are looking for Halloween activities in Headwaters that you can do safely within your social bubble, we at YDH are happy to share with you some events that are still being held, and which have been modified to adhere to health guidelines for COVID-19.

Downey’s Pumpkinfest and Corn Maze

13682 Heart Lake Rd., Caledon, ON L7C 2J5

For the past 30 years, Pumpkinfest has been a tradition at this family farm that is in the business of growing fruit, fun and memories. This year, the traditional version of Pumpkinfest that Caledon has come to know and love is back. The Farmyard Play Area and Animals is open daily with limited capacity to ensure social distancing. And bright, orange pumpkins—an essential for Halloween celebrations—will be available in the front of the farm store, with wide pathways to limit contact between visitors. The Downey family promises that, although the festivities may not be the same as in years past, you can still expect the same fall fun and memory-making moments.

This year’s Farmyard Play Area features include

• a chicken show
• wooden play structures
• the new Pirates Cove
• the Black Hole
• farmer’s baseball
• the new combine slide
• a skeleton band
• a new mini farmer’s golf
• and so much more!

Tickets to the Farmyard Play Area and Animals are $15 for three hours. To purchase your tickets in advance, visit the Downey Family Farm website here.

Village of Erin Scarecrow Stroll

Village of Erin, ON

Scarecrows on parade! The scenic Village of Erin is hosting its annual Scarecrow Stroll. For COVID-19, the Village of Erin invites you to drive instead of stroll, from the safety of your vehicle, and see lots of wonderfully creative scarecrows. Each one is handmade by businesses and residents who love their community as much as they love this towns tradition. Hurry, the event ends October 13^th. But if you miss the official end, the chances are good that you’ll still find more than a few of these wonderful creations hanging about… no pun intended.

For more information, visit the Village of Erin’s website here. Also check out their Instagram page.

General safety tips for Halloween 2020

We all know that Halloween will be different this year, and that eager trick-or-treaters and party-goers might find their beloved traditions somewhat altered, if not cancelled altogether. While we have put together a list of events for you to consider in York, Durham and Headwaters that have been modified to follow health and safety guidelines, here are some more recommendations from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention that you should consider before you venture out for your spooktacular Halloween.

Lower risk activities – these activities are considered relatively safe, with few to no alterations required for COVID-19

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household to display for your neighbourhood
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt, where participants are given lists of themed things to look for from a distance while walking outdoors from house to house
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with members of your household
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search at home

Moderate risk activities – these activities carry some risk, and health and safety measures should be enacted to limit the spread of COVID-19

• Participating in a one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while maintaining social distance
  • If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags

• Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart
• Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
  • A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
  • Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
• Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading COVID-19.
• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing
• Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading COVID-19.