Framingham Cancels Halloween Event, Urges Safety Precautions

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham is canceling an annual Halloween celebration and urging parents to think about health and safety while making seasonal plans as coronavirus continues to circulate in the city.

On Tuesday, Mayor Yvonne Spicer called off the third annual Framingham Halloween Spook-tacular trick-or-treating event at Memorial Hall. Instead, the city is steering residents toward a pumpkin decorating event being hosted by Framingham Parks and Recreation.

The Framingham Public Library is also offering virtual events to help kids celebrate Halloween.

The city is urging anyone who has been exposed to a COVID-19 patient — or who feels sick — to avoid trick-or-treating.

"We have had to make many changes this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Mayor Yvonne Spicer said in a news release. "However, there is still much we can do to celebrate time-honored holidays, like Halloween, while staying safe. I believe it’s possible to enjoy the festivities while protecting ourselves and loved by changing our regular Halloween activities with a few new ones, and perhaps we can create some new traditions at the same time."

Framingham has been on the state's list of "high-risk" communities for coronavirus since late August. Other high-risk communities, including Worcester and Springfield, have explicitly called off trick-or-treating this year.

Framingham's advice largely aligns with guidance issued by the state Department of Public Health last week. DPH is asking state residents to avoid indoor gatherings and haunted houses, and to put extra precautions in place while handing out treats on Halloween.

Correction: An earlier version of this story inaccurately described the Parks and Recreation department pumpkin event. It is not a drive-thru display.