Trick-or-treating in Muscatine on Sunday; Halloween weekend full of fun

The City of Muscatine has announced that Trick or Treat Night is set for 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 31, 2021. If a trick-or-treater and/or homeowner is feeling ill please do not participate.

Before Sunday’s march of costumed characters through Muscatine neighborhoods in search of sweet offerings from “frightened” homeowners, the City of Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor a Trunk-or-Treat event at Soccer West.

Scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns are featured at the Muscatine Art Center where competition voting runs Oct. 28-31.

Neighborhood trick-or-treating

Parents are encouraged to dress their children in reflective clothing and consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives to masks, which can limit or block eyesight.  Parents should also plan and review with their children the route and neighborhoods to go to and agree on a specific time when children must return home.  A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

Homeowners should take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on their porch and walkway.  Rather than utilizing candles or other real flames, homeowners should consider using battery powered jack o’lantern lights.  If a person chooses to use real candles, then pumpkins should be placed well away from trick-or-treaters and the person should make sure paper or cloth decorations won’t be blown into the flame.

Trick-or-treaters are reminded that they should never eat any treats until they are thoroughly checked by an adult.  Additionally, they should be sure their parents know where they are going, only go to homes with a porch light on, remain on well-lit streets, always use the sidewalk, and obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.  Trick-or-treaters should never assume the right of way on streets as motorists may have trouble seeing them.

Motorists are asked to drive slow and watch closely for children running in the street.

Scarecrow & Jack-o-Lantern Competition

Competition entries will be exhibited at the Muscatine Art Center from Thursday through Sunday (Oct. 28-31). The public will be able to vote for the best scarecrow and the best Jack-o-Lantern both online and in person starting at 10 a.m. Thursday. Voting ends at 5 p.m. Sunday.

See the scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns in person during regular hours. The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Bewitching Bash at Soccer West

Come and have a scary good time this Halloween as the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department sponsors a Bewitching Bash (or “The Return of Trunk or Treat”) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, at the Muscatine Soccer Complex. Children will have the opportunity to safely gather goodies and show off their costumes under a spook-tacular light show that is sure to lighten up even the darkest of souls.

Decorated vehicles will be lined up in the Soccer West parking lot on the west side of South Houser Street with trick or treating beginning at 6:30 p.m. Plenty of parking is available in the main parking lot of the Muscatine Soccer Complex for attendees, making it just a short distance for them to carry back all their treasures.

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