Tarentum planning alternatives to canceled Halloween, Christmas events

Tarentum is planning alternatives for two seasonal events that have been canceled because of the covid-19 pandemic.

Tarentum canceled its annual Boo Fest, which would have been held Oct. 17. The borough and Brackenridge also called off their annual joint Christmas parade, which had been scheduled for Nov. 21.

The events were canceled because of Allegheny County’s restriction on outdoor gatherings, Tarentum Councilwoman Carrie Fox said. The county limits such events to 100 people.

Covid and restrictions on gatherings “caused us to cancel almost everything this year,” Fox said.

While the Christmas parade is months away, Fox said staging it takes a lot of preparation that would already have been underway.

“What’s the right call? You don’t know what to do,” she said. “You don’t want to make the wrong call and have too big a crowd gathering.”

Brackenridge Mayor Tom Kish said officials feel bad about not having the parade this year, but he added, “It’s out of our control.”

Alternate plans

In place of Boo Fest, Fox said Tarentum will have a drive-through Halloween event on First Avenue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 17 for children to get treats. There will be a walk-up table for children unable to get there in vehicles.

In place of the Christmas parade, Fox said Tarentum’s recreation board is working on an idea of having Santa visit borough neighborhoods atop a fire truck. It’s tentatively scheduled for Dec. 5, with a rain date of Dec. 12.

Kish said Brackenridge officials are considering their own possible alternatives to the parade.

“If they do something, it will probably be something small just in Brackenridge,” he said.

Halloween unsettled

Tarentum plans to have trick-or-treating on Halloween this year. Council has set the time for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Kish said Brackenridge Council has not yet decided on trick-or-treating.

Harrison Manager Rich Hill said his township also has not set trick-or-treating times. The township and the two boroughs, which all border each other, usually set the same day and hours for trick-or-treating.