Halloween Parade canceled out of COVID caution

McCOOK, Neb. – It is with considerable disappointment that McCook Gazette Publisher Shary Skiles announces the cancellation of the Halloween Parade that was scheduled for downtown McCook on October 31st.

“We were really excited about the parade this year because it fell on Halloween day,” Skiles said. “But in watching the number of Covid-19 cases rise over the past few weeks, I just don’t believe that it is responsible to encourage a large gathering of people, both adults and children. We’re really disappointed, but if canceling the parade will help to slow the spread and possibly make the holiday season more normal this year, that is what we need to do.”

While traditional nighttime trick-or-treating has not yet been canceled or limited, Skiles said that the parade is different because so many gather in one place at one time. “We really didn’t see a way that we could enforce effective social distancing at the parade.”

The parade has become a tradition in McCook, with hundreds of children, along with their parents and grandparents, gathering on Norris Avenue to show off their costumes and trick-or-treating downtown businesses.

“We had reached out to non-parade route businesses inviting them to participate this year as well, so we expected a real trick-or-treating experience for the kids,” Skiles said. “We’ll go ahead and invite them again next year, so be looking forward to the tradition continuing bigger and better in 2021.”

The Gazette is encouraging parents to submit a picture of their ghosts goblins, princesses, and ninjas to be published in an upcoming issue of the Gazette and shared on the Gazette’s web site. There will be a link for uploading on www.mccookgazette.com and through the Gazette’s Facebook page soon.

“We want to thank the businesses who help to make this parade a special time for kids in our community,” Skiles said. “It is because of their enthusiastic participation, not only in providing candy for over 300 kids, but also in getting into the spirit by donning some really creative costumes, that this event has grown and become a tradition.”