If you need an excuse to stay in town this Halloween, Emporia is offering a whole day of excuses.
There is no need to go out of town for Halloween this year with the wealth of offerings that Emporia and the surrounding area has. Whether you have kids or not, Halloween can be enjoyed locally by all.
The day starts off with a pumpkin decorating contest at the Emporia Farmer’s Market, Seventh Avenue and Merchant Street. Next up is a Halloween Homecoming parade in downtown Emporia. This is a rare treat for Emporia, so thank Emporia State University organizers for their “spooky” Halloween parade. For more ideas, see the story on today’s front page.
And while you’re out celebrating Halloween, don’t forget to keep your children — and yourself — safe.
According to Safe Kids USA, during a recent five-year period, twice as many child pedestrians were killed on Halloween as were killed on average throughout the rest of the year in the United States. Because Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, it’s easier to trick-or-treat during daylight.
If you find yourself going door-to-door with your little ghosts, goblins and princesses, remember these tips from Safe Kids Kansas:
• Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Don’t assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you. Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk; don’t run, across the street.
• Walk on well-lit sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk in familiar areas with minimal street crossings.
• Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Drivers also need to be alert to the costumed hoards:
• Be especially alert. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are during the typical rush-hour period, between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.
• Drive more slowly. Slow down and anticipate heavier than usual pedestrian traffic.
• Lights on. Be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances.
Together, we can make Halloween as safe as possible.
Brandy Nance
Reporter
Comments
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Posted by stark81 (anonymous) on October 27, 2009 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
anyone know what time the parade starts??
Posted by oh4theluvof (anonymous) on October 27, 2009 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard that the hospital may not be letting kids trick-or-treat there this year because of the flu. Can anyone confirm that for me?
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