North Adams Sets Trick Or Treat Guidelines

11:00AM / Thursday, October 01, 2020Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Trick-or-treat is a go as the city has set guidelines for Halloween this year.

Thursday morning the city announced that trick-or-treat hours will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

"Over the past six months, we have canceled, postponed, scaled back, or reimagined the majority of community events in North Adams in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these decisions made in the interest of public health and safety has been necessary, and I know that many of these changes also been disappointing and difficult for our residents and visitors," Mayor Thomas Bernard said in a press release. "I didn't want to add Halloween to the list of cancellations, especially since our case counts right now show that North Adams residents have done such an amazing job of slowing the spread of COVID-19.

"So, my team and I thought long and hard about how we could provide a framework to help make trick-or-treat as safe as possible."

Bernard said the city has reviewed guidance from the U.S. Centers of Disease Controls and the state Department of Public Health and has come up with a list of recommendations dubbed "GHOST Protocol – recommendations for a fun and safe Halloween."

G: Grab & Go Only

Participating residents should hand out treats in goodie bags or other contactless ways.

H: Have Fun

This should need no explanation!

O: Only Visit Participating Houses

Traditionally people leave on a light or decorate to signal they are participating; trick-or-treaters should respect those who choose not to participate.

S: Stay Close to Home

Participants should remain in a compact, walkable neighborhood as much as possible.

T: Take Your Mask

As with any public activity, trick-or-treaters should wear a cloth face covering to protect themselves and those with whom they come in contact; following CDC guidance, trick-or-treaters should not wear a costume mask over their cloth face covering.

While the city supports activities during the announced hours, the following activities are not recommended during the Halloween season:

"Trunk or Treat" events at which children go from car to car instead of door to door to receive treats are not recommended.
Gatherings or parties with non-household members are not recommended even if they are conducted outdoors.
Carnivals, festivals, live entertainments, and haunted house attractions are not recommended.

In accordance with CDC and DPH guidelines, the city also asks those participating in trick-or-treat activities to:

Observe good hand hygiene, including hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy;
Stay home and refrain from Halloween activities, including handing out Halloween treats, if they feel unwell, have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or have traveled to or from a higher risk state in the two weeks prior to Halloween; and
Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household.

The CDC website also offers suggestions for other lower-risk alternatives to participate in Halloween.

"I know nothing says 'fun' like added rules and regulations," Bernard said. "And I want to be clear that if we experience a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases we might need to cancel Trick or Treat. For now, though, I hope our young people are looking forward to dressing up for Halloween, and I know I can't wait to see all the great costumes in my neighborhood, in a safe and socially distanced way of course."

Tags: Halloween, holiday event, trick-or-treat,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:37PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.

View Full Story