In this edition of Beyond The Cupola, Joelle Yarbrough, Operations Specialist / ACH & Wires, shares her excitement for keeping this sweet, hometown tradition alive in 2020… even if it has to look a little different.

Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. Ahhhhh…the sights, the smells, the colors, and all the fun events that happen make it an enjoyable season. My family has always made a big deal out of picking out our costumes, often making a decision months in advance, and sometimes resorting to making our own costumes due to the uniqueness of our choices. Of course, this seems to be the year of changes with a little thing called COVID-19 influencing every decision we make. Trick-or-treating is no exception.

The CDC released its guidelines for how to celebrate Halloween amid a global pandemic so based on those recommendations it is no longer safe to carry out our traditional trick-or-treating by door-to-door whether in a neighborhood or at our local businesses. One of our favorite places to go trick-or-treating is on Main Street in Downtown Watkinsville.

Luckily, the Watkinsville Trade and Tourism Association devised a way for us to safely participate in the Downtown Watkinsville trick-or-treating by offering a drive-through event at Rocket Field. Businesses or groups that are volunteering to distribute candy will follow precautions by social distancing and wearing masks and gloves in consideration of all participants. The event will be from 4:30 to 6:30 on Friday, October 30^th.

While we may miss getting to see all the cute, creative costumes on display up and down Main Street, we will continue getting to see friendly faces as we drive through. I know my children will still be happy dressed up as an Akatsuki ninja and a homemade Chicken Nugget (I told you we are unique!).

We want everyone to have fun, but more importantly, we want everyone to be safe and healthy. Bring your children to support our local businesses and organizations. Oconee State Bank will see you there!