Is COVID-19 the real boogeyman this Halloween? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, it might as well be.Various Halloween activities were ranked as low, moderate, or high risk.
They recommend people to not mingle with others outside the household, rating activities such as parties, haunted houses, hayrides, and trick-or-treating as high-risk. For those who are feeling sick, live with someone who is at higher risk for disease, have tested positive, are waiting for COIVD-19 test results, or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, the CDC recommends them to stay home.
But, do not fret my ghostly friends. Halloween activities are still available! The City of Riverside’s annual Ghost Walk is one event that is considered low-risk this year. Susan Anderson, a Ghost Walk committee member and Marketing Chair, said, “The event is virtual for the first time in its 29-year history. Tours will take place via Zoom.”
Traditionally, visitors of the tours would visit four locations in downtown Riverside where they would hear a different story or part of a progressive story. This year’s online version will be similar. Anderson mentioned that, “all tours will still begin with the thriller dance. Tours will still have a tour guide and have the same flow as the traditional ghost walk where tour goers will be led from one story stop to the next.”
Tickets are $15 per tour and dates are set for October 23 (Friday) and October 24 (Saturday), with three different times each day: 6 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9 p.m. This year’s tours are Dracula (rated G), The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (rated PG-13), and Haunting of Hill House (rated PG-13).
Riverside resident Linda Medina, who has attended the event in past years, says, “My favorite part of the Ghost Walk were the tours. I love learning about Riverside’s history, so it was fun to hear the spooky side of it.”
Medina might attend this year and thinks the event will be successful virtually because the tours will still be available.
However, the virtual Ghost Walk hasn’t received all positive reception from its potential visitors this year. Daniel Gonzalez from Pleasanton, California has also attended the Riverside Ghost Walk in the past.
Gonzales said, “I really liked learning the history that Riverside has to offer. I especially enjoyed the performances and costumes.” For Gonzales, this year will not be the same because he feels, “you don’t get to fully engage with the live performances the actors do.”
As for others, they simply look forward to learning more about Riverside through the walks. Celeste Lemus, another Riverside resident, believes that the virtual Ghost Walk will be successful.
[su_quote cite=Lemus] I enjoyed learning the history of Riverside, I especially liked learning about the catacombs at the Mission Inn.[/su_quote]
For more Halloween activites, students can enjoy virtual events happening through CSUSB – which are free and can be found on the events calendar page.
If you feel like partying with a DJ, you can attend Howl at the Moon which is taking place on Friday, October 16, from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. via zoom.
Horror Movie Trivia is also taking place on Wednesday, October 21, from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. via zoom. This event will highlight some of the scariest movies ever made.
The interfaith center will be teaching students about Wicca, Paganism and herbs that have been used for creating spells. The event will be via zoom on October 29 (Thursday) from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
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