Moonlight Madness, Halloween a go in Thermopolis

Moonlight Madness will be returning to the streets of Thermopolis on Thursday, October 29.

The Masons will be serving their tacos for dinner from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Masonic Hall.

The Costume Contest sponsored by Dr. Vernon and Rachel Miller will begin at 5:45 p.m. at Bicentennial Park. The ages will be divided like in the past, prizes will be given for the top three costumes and goodie bags will be given to all participants.

Shailee Harvey Photography will have the Spooktacular Costume Contest at Kirby Creek Mercantile and offer picture packages.

After the costume contest head over to Las Fuentes for the Pinata Bash or take a Haunted Hayride at Hazel-n-Pearls.

Merchants will be offering chilling deals and don’t forget to trick or treat at the stores.

Halloween is a go 

As the local community has been adapting to the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some are wondering how officials are providing guidelines in regard to celebrating Halloween.

Hot Springs County’s Public Health Nurse Manager Tricia McPhie points us to what the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) and the Center of Disease Control (CDC) has to say. McPhie said, “We hope the kids can have a fun time in a safe manner.”

According to the WDH, some common ways of celebrating Halloween that are high risk and not recommended this year include attending any crowded indoor gatherings, events or dinner parties.

Traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door remains an option this year in Wyoming. Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with WDH said, “If children and their family escorts remain outdoors without staying more than a few minutes at each home, and the people giving the treats do not invite them indoors, the risk associated with this activity can be lowered,” 

Harrist added, “Trunk-or-treat events where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots can also be lower risk if everyone remains outdoors, avoids gathering in large groups and moves through quickly.”