Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic altered how popular holidays such as Halloween were celebrated. Halloween is typically full of trick-or-treating children and raucous parties, but many students’ plans were canceled or modified due to safety concerns. This year, as COVID-19 regulations slowly ease, many students have resumed planning traditional parties and outings.
Richard Montgomery High School sophomore Amanuel Haile said that he was forced to hang out with a group smaller than he intended due to safety concerns. “I doubt that [COVID-19] will have as big an effect on my plans for this Halloween as it did last year because a lot of people are less scared of it than last Halloween,” Haile said.
“I remember not seeing almost any parties or large get-togethers last year during Halloween as I usually would,” Richard Montgomery sophomore Sami Saeed said. “People just stayed with small groups and didn’t risk having large groups of people together in one location.”
Many Halloween affairs were also unable to operate normally due to COVID-19 restrictions. Last year, Field of Screams, an outdoor theme venue in Olney where visitors walk through a haunted forest, remained open despite the pandemic. Actors and participants were instructed to stay six feet apart and everyone was required to wear a mask. The visitor capacity was also limited and management promised to maintain general cleanliness and sanitation practices.
However, it remains unclear whether Halloween will return to its old glory or remain a hollow husk of its former self.
Haile believes this Halloween will not be as lively as it was in pre-pandemic times, but he does think it would be a definite improvement from last year. He said, “My plans this year are going to be different from what I would do three years ago where I would go trick or treating and then go to a party, because this year I’m just going to hang out with my friends again. I expect to see more decorated houses and more trick or treaters, though.”
On the other hand, Saeed believes that this Halloween will be much more similar to pre-COVID celebrations. “Luckily, Halloween, in regards to trick or treating or other related activities, usually takes place outside, so I think this Halloween could resemble a normal one,” Saeed said. Considering high vaccination rates and dropping cases, he believes that the risk of infection is largely mitigated.
Field of Screams is also operating as normal this year. It is a classic Halloween location, and its return this year is likely to garner significant attention. “I remember going to Field of Screams before COVID-19, and I’m super glad that it’s back in full force,” Saeed said.
Written by Kidus Walelign of Richard Montgomery High School
Graphic by Tanya Paul of Richard Montgomery High School