Ash Grove’s Hallo-House offers a COVID-free alternative for Halloween

By Steve Chapman
Halloween is a time for costume parties, children trick-or-treating, visiting “haunted” houses and other fall festivities. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still threatening the health of many, some people may not feel comfortable participating in traditional Halloween activities. Thanks to a new event in Ash Grove called “Hallo-House,” those who are trying to socially distance and avoid the coronavirus don’t have to forego Halloween altogether.
Sadie Ferwalt, the organizer of Hallo-House, describes it as a way for people to enjoy Halloween from the safety of their cars.
“Hallo-House is a drive-thru event, where families who do not feel comfortable trick or treating this year
 can still enjoy Halloween fun from the safety of their vehicles,” she said. “I have asked the community of Ash Grove to really overdo their decorations this year so even the families driving by can enjoy them. Viewers can vote on three categories of houses and the winners will receive a prize.”
Ferwalt said she came up with the idea after hearing from people who didn’t want to participate in Halloween.
“There were a lot of people in my personal community who expressed that they would not be trick or treating this year and they would miss the traditions,” she said. “Halloween is my favorite holiday and I wanted to be able to provide some way for people to still enjoy some part of the day. This whole year has been about figuring out how to adapt and coming up with a new way of doing things. So, I figured if families didn’t have to leave their cars, they may feel safer about the experience.”
Hallo-House will take place in Ash Grove between Saturday, Oct. 24 and Monday, Nov. 2, and Ferwalt said 10 homeowners, so far, have said they will decorate their houses for the event. Those who drive around to look at the houses can vote for their favorite houses in three categories: Scariest Property, Most Creative Property, and Best Overall Transformation. Ferwalt said the winners in each category will receive a $50 gift card to local business and home good stores.
While she has heard from a lot of people who are interested in Hallo-House, Ferwalt said she isn’t seeing as many people taking part as she’d expected. She hopes that will change before the weekend.
“I received a positive response to the idea of the event, though participation is not as high as I would have hoped at this time,” she said. “We still have a week for people to join the event and we are using social media along with traditional methods to increase participation and draw in the public interest.”
While Hallo-House was created for those who don’t feel comfortable with trick-or-treating this year, Ferwalt said she herself will still be doing so.
“I will be passing out candy in front of my property on Halloween,” she said.
For more information about Hallo-House, visit the Hallo-House page on Facebook.