Canyon Lake women create Halloween alternative

BY Ariana Shah

Canyon Lakers now have an opportunity to celebrate Halloween while being cautious under COVID-19 restrictions. Kenni-Marie Potter and Cassy Abraham created Canyon Lake Halloween Town, a Facebook Community page dedicated to neighborhoods dressing up their homes with Halloween decor.

“We originally came up with the idea after our huge success with the Community Zoo earlier this year,” Cassy said.

The Canyon Lake Community Zoo was an event for children to get out of the house and explore, she said. Over 100 households picked an animal to display, real or imaginary, and displayed information about it. Hundreds of children safely visited the front yards of the homes and had fun visiting the animals.

The similarly-organized Halloween event is being called a “spooky twist on Candy Cane Lane.”

All Canyon Lake residents are encouraged to join in on this festivity of decoration and there is no minimum amount of decorations required.

The organizers will create a virtual map that will show all the houses that are participating. Small icons on the map will indicate the theme and a “spookiness level” of each house so families can choose their own adventure.

“We just want to really embrace the fun spirit of this event,” Cassy said. “We wanted an event that was inclusive and fun, but also mindful of the current state COVID-19 guidelines.”

Participants are encouraged to have their decorations up and ready on the weekend before Halloween so the decorations can be enjoyed all week long.

“It’s been a weird year,” Cassy said. “We really hope this event brings joy and a sense of normalcy to the kids in the community.”

Those who are interested in participating are welcome to join their Facebook Group, “Canyon Lake Halloween Town,” where over 700 people have already joined. For those who would also like to be on the virtual map, which already has 30 homes on it, should email CLHalloweenTown@gmail.com.

The Facebook page also includes information about a Virtual Costume Contest and a Halloween decorating contest judged by Sabrina Alt.

Cassy and Kenni-Marie are looking to make this event an annual tradition.

“Our hope is that this event is spooktacular and will become a treasured annual staple for years to come,” Cassy said.