Halloween 2020 will be celebrated locally with a number of events designed to be fun for young trick-or-treaters while simultaneously keeping them safe from exposure to COVID-19.

The Town of Blacksburg will sponsor a Halloween trick-or-treat drive-thru on Friday, Oct. 30, from 4-6 p.m. at the Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Dr.

Children are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters and gather lots of treats from spooky characters while they stay in their cars. The event is for elementary school-aged children, and all health and safety guidelines will be followed.

On Sunday, Oct. 25, from 3-6 p.m., Virginia Tech Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Panhellic Council invite families with children to participate in the Oak Lane Costume Caravan.

Participants are encouraged to dress in costume, decorate their car and drive through the loop of Oak Lane. Along the route, fraternity and sorority houses will be decorated for Halloween, and students from Virginia Tech fraternities and sororities will stand in costume to wave at the families and children driving through the loop.

All Virginia Tech students will be wearing face coverings and will remain six feet apart with no physical contact or direct exchange of candy or other goodies along the drive-through. At the end of the route, each child will receive a pre-packaged bag of nut-free individually wrapped candy and treats through a special contact-less delivery system directly to their vehicle.

All adult participants (drivers and passengers) are asked to wear face coverings throughout the event, and everyone must remain in their vehicle at all times. Volunteers and staff working the event will be wearing face coverings and appropriate personal protective equipment and will wash or sanitize hands regularly. For more information, contact Fraternity & Sorority Life at (540)231-6609 or visit fsl.vt.edu.

The Town of Christiansburg will sponsor a Night Full of Fright: Trick or Treat Drive-Thru on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5-7 p.m., in the Christiansburg Recreation Center parking lot at 1600 N. Franklin St.

Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to wear their best costumes and enjoy some goodies from the safety of their car. Drive through some fun Halloween decorations while listening to spooky music and check out vehicles and equipment from Public Works, Police, Rescue and Fire. All treats will be pre-packaged, and current safety guidelines will be followed. Please note this event will occur rain or shine while supplies last.

Montgomery County is sponsoring a Virtual Ghostly Gala Halloween Costume Contest.

Children 12 and under are invited to email a picture donning their Halloween costume from now through Saturday, Oct. 31, to mcpr@montgomerycountyva.gov, along with parent and child’s name and the child’s age. The winner will be announced on Monday, Nov. 2, at https://www.facebook.com/mcparksrec.

The City of Radford is sponsoring a Halloween Drive-Boo on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 3-5 p.m. at the Radford Recreation Center. All treats will be pre-packaged, and safety guidelines will be followed while supplies last. Participants are encouraged to show up with vehicles decorated for Halloween and see spooky decorations. They will receive no tricks, just treats from staff in appropriate protective equipment

The Town of Pulaski is sponsoring a virtual costume contest. Details are available at

https://www.pulaskitown.org/news/what_s_new/announcement_on_town_halloween_events or by calling 540-994-8600.

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Drive-Thru Treat Trail on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4-7 p.m. at Randolph Park. Details are available at https://www.pulaskichamberinfo/.

The New River Valley Public Health Task Force has some suggestions for traditional Halloween activities that can be celebrated with low risk for spreading the coronavirus.

Carve and decorate pumpkins with household members and display them.

Carve and decorate pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends.

Decorate the house, apartment or living space.

Hold a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance.

Have a virtual Halloween costume contest.

Have a Halloween scary movie night with household members.

Have a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with household members in or around your home rather than going house-to-house.