SUFFOLK, Va. - Organizers in Suffolk say that Halloween will certainly look and feel different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of right now, it is unknown if there will be any special mandates from Governor Ralph Northam regarding Halloween and trick-or-treating.
In Suffolk, trick-or-treating is for those ages 12 and under, and trick-or-treating in the city ends at 8 p.m.
The Western Tidewater Health District is listed as 'orange' on theHalloween2020 website. Citizens can check their local risks on the color-coded map and get suggestions on how to safely celebrate during these unprecedented times
Of course, people will also make their own decisions about whether they will give out candy or allow their children to trick-or-treat.
While Hampton Roads may be celebrating in different ways this year, the following variety of events coordinated by the creative staff of Suffolk Parks & Recreation, Suffolk Tourism, and the Suffolk Library, are guaranteed to safely entertain and delight folks of all ages:
Fright Night Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat will occur at several Parks & Recreation Center parking lots. Drive-Thru while you and your family are dressed in your best costumes and enjoy seeing the festive trunk decorations. Feel free to decorate your vehicle, too. As you cruise by the Recreation Center, our staff will safely welcome you while social distancing, take your picture, and provide a variety of goodies (while supplies last). Please bring a mask for each person in your party to be used any time social distancing of at least 6 feet cannot be maintained. You have three opportunities to Drive-Thru in October:
- Saturday, October 17, 2020, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Creekside Recreation Center, 1000 Bennetts Creek Park Road
- Saturday, October 24, 2020, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Whaleyville Recreation Center, 132 Robertson Street
- Saturday, October 31, 2020, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the East Suffolk Recreation Center, 134 S. Sixth Street
Carpool Cinema will occur at two different locations. Bring your family and stay safely inside your car to view seasonal favorite movies. No concessions will be available, but you are welcome to bring your own food and snacks to enjoy the movie from your car. Pets are welcomed and must be on a leash when outside of your vehicle. Attendees must practice social distancing at this event. FREE and open to the public. These events are weather dependent. Arrive early, because space is limited.
- Saturday, October 17, 2020; Bennett’s Creek Park, 3000 Bennetts Creek Park Road. Movie: Hocus Pocus (1983). This movie is rated PG. Park closed from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to prepare for the event. The movie will begin at approximately 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, October 24, 2020: The screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) in the parking lots behind the Godwin Courts Building at 150 North Main Street in Downtown Suffolk was canceled due to projected rainfall.
Beyond School: Live Q/A with Pamela Kinney on Haunted Virginia will occur on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Local author Pamela K. Kinney will be joining us for a Q&A on the haunted history of Hampton Roads! Kinney has written award-winning, bestselling horror, fantasy, science fiction, poetry, along with nonfiction ghost books. Three of her nonfiction ghost books garnered Library of Virginia nominations. This virtual event will take place via Zoom, and registration is required to receive the invite link. The event will be geared towards families, kids, and teens. Registration link: https://suffolkpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/6891551.
Library Curbside Trick-or-Treat will occur at both the North Suffolk Library (2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road), and Morgan Memorial Library (443 West Washington Street) locations. This Halloween, come to the Library and receive a treat! Staff members will be in costume and providing candy for kids! For those wanting to dress up, we’ll have an outdoor photo booth set-up at both locations. Treat bags will be available while supplies last.
- Saturday, October 31, 2020, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Friday Night Frights at the Center Suffolk Tourism (757-514-4130), in partnership with the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts (757-923-0003), is pleased to announce the Second Annual Friday Night Frights Classic Horror Film Series. All films will be shown in The Birdsong Theater on the second floor of The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, located in the heart of Historic Downtown Suffolk, 110 West Finney Avenue, beginning at 8:00 p.m. on scheduled dates. Tickets are $3, and may be purchased at SuffolkCenter.org/movies-on-the-big-screen. These frightful cinematic classics are rated R; no children under 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian. Concessions and a cash bar available. Please note that only 100 seats may be reserved in order to allow for social distancing in the 530-seat Birdsong Theater.
- Friday, October 16, 2020, Carrie, the 1976 movie directed by Brian De Palma, became a critical and commercial success and is often listed as one of the greatest horror films ever made. Running time of 98 minutes.
- Friday, October 23, 2020, Psycho, the psychological horror film is considered one of Alfred Hitchcock’s best films and is praised as a major work of cinematic art by international critics and scholars. Running time of 109 minutes.
- Friday, October 30, 2020, Poltergeist, recognized as a classic within the horror genre and has gained a cult following. Running time of 114 minutes.
Together On Stage at the Suffolk Center Suffolk Tourism (757-514-4130), is the presenting sponsor of these events at The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, located in the heart of Historic Downtown Suffolk, 110 West Finney Avenue, at 8:00 p.m. on scheduled evenings. These musical events are also live-streamed from the Center’s Birdsong Theater stage to the Suffolk Center’s Facebook page. In-person seating is also now available and limited to 100 people, with plenty of room to social distance in the 530-seat Birdsong Theater. Tickets are $10/performance. Call the box office for tickets.
- Thursday, October 1, 2020, Enjoy the music of Lewis McGhee (alternative acoustic)
- Thursday, October 15, 2020, Relaxing sounds of Juju Drum featuring Kyra LaVonne (Caribbean beach)
- Thursday, October 29, 2020, Groove to the sounds of Connected (jazz band)
Legends of Main Street: A Suffolk Ghost Walk A hair-raising encounter with the spirited side of Suffolk. Follow a costumed guide through the shadows of historic Main Street discovering stories, legends, and “unexplained occurrences” by lantern light. Tales of unsolved mysteries and unresolved affairs abound throughout Suffolk’s historically hip Ghost Walk. Reservations required. VisitSuffolkVa.com
- Saturday, October 24, 2020, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. $10 adults; $8 seniors (60+), military & children 9-12. Departs from the Mr. Peanut statue at the Suffolk Visitor Center Pavilion, 524 North Main Street.
Suffolk Farmers’ Market Held under the open-air Pavilion located at 524 North Main Street in Downtown Suffolk, Saturday’s, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., customers may shop for goodies and make on-site purchases from vendors offering garden-fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, jams and jellies, meats and poultry, flowers and other seasonal horticultural items, plus personal care items. Customers may also continue to contact vendors directly to pre-order items for Saturday pick-ups. Handwashing station and hand sanitizer will be readily available; social distancing and masks required.
A very handy guide for what’s going on in Suffolk for the month of October is available to download from Suffolk Tourism’s website.
