Spooky, germ free night to take place in Dalby

ZOMBIES, ghosts, and ghouls will be rampaging through the streets of Dalby, armed with sanitiser and face masks for Halloween. SEE HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE FUN:

GERM FREE HALLOWEEN: Children in Dalby can participate in a COVID-Safe Halloween event this year, with more than 12 houses already on the trick or treating list. Picture: File

GHOSTS and ghouls will be running loose on the streets of Dalby, armed with sanitiser and face masks to enjoy a Halloween like no other.

A new Dalby resident has decided to throw her hand up and lead a “COVID-Safe” Halloween event this year, with her new Facebook group already attracting 155 members.

Michelle Kiehne said she was excited to bring the family-fun event to the Western Downs town after moving from Gunnedah in New South Wales.

“I was living there in the country for about seven years, and when we got there, nothing happened for Halloween,” she said.

“I have four little children who love to celebrate it, and we wanted to make it safer for our kids so they could go up to houses with people who were happy to participate.”

Mrs Kiehne acknowledged how Halloween was an event that wasn’t widely celebrated in Australia, but still wanted to create something that could be fun for children in the area during a stressful year.

READ MORE:

LNP promises to boost Warrego economy by $8.5m if elected

ANNOUNCED: Massive 110 turbine wind farm to be built near Dalby

WARNING: Farmers crop targeted by new invasive pest

“The kids have missed out on a lot of things this year due to coronavirus, such as school excursions and birthday parties,” she said.

“Then after moving to Dalby, I saw the previous group had decided not to hold it due to coronavirus concerns, which is completely understandable.”

Mrs Kiehne was under the same assumption that the event couldn’t go ahead, but a statement released by the State Government recently gave Queenslanders the all clear.

“Once we got that thumbs up, we decided to just go for it,” she said.

“We’re now encouraging everyone to be COVID-Safe for Halloween.”

For those willing to participate in this year’s event, Mrs Kiehne is encouraging the community to adhere to social distancing and coronavirus laws already in place, plus a few extra steps.

“We’re asking for individually wrapped treats this year to stop the spread of any germs while the kids are trick or treating,” she said.

“Also, instead of having a big bowl of lollies for kids to take from like we traditionally would, I’ve seen families use sandwich bags full of treats that work just as well.

“Of course sanitiser and masks are encouraged during the event.”

If you’re looking to join the spooky fun on October 31, please join their Facebook group ‘Halloween in Dalby 2020’ to stay up to date with the list of houses participating.

Here are the list of houses currently participating this Saturday:

• 7 Ormonde Court
• 28 Bagot St - from 6pm
• 40 Alice St
• 4 Palmer St - from 6pm
• 6 Paper Court (A lot of houses in this street are participating)
• 187 Blaxland Rd
• 52 Gosden Dr
• 21 Mary St
• 32 Wyley St (from 5pm-7pm)
• 169 Cunningham St (from 5pm-7pm read of building)
• 64 Sunrise Av
• 17 O’Keefe St
• 205 Oak Wood St South (knock on garage door)
• 12 Horace St
• 27 Orpen St
• 9 Paper Ct

Originally published as