The COVID-19-delayed Loggers Playday fireworks show will light up the sky above Olympic Stadium Halloween night.
It fits in with a day of activities during Saturday’s Haunted Hoquiam celebration, modified to provide safe alternatives for fans of Halloween of all ages.
“Halloween 2020 offers new and different family and friend bonding experiences. I am so excited to announce a few of the many safer family events coming to Hoquiam next weekend,” said Hoquiam Mayor Ben Winkelman. “Choose your events and remember to mask up and practice social distancing, but find a fun, family social activity for the weekend and get out and see something spooktacular together.”
Loggers Playday fireworks
As promised, despite the cancellation of this year’s Loggers Playday competition, there will be a fireworks show, just delayed a couple months to Halloween.
“We need to do this for the kids,” said Don Bell, Loggers Playday emcee.
Winkelman said, “The Loggers Playday committee will be presenting their amped-up fireworks display from the ever-popular location in the corner of Hoquiam’s historic Olympic Stadium. The approximately 15-minute display will begin at dark and will be one to remember.”
The stadium itself will be closed. Bill Kirsch, a licensed pyrotechnician with Pyro Spectacular, is in charge of the display. This is his 11th year with the Loggers Playday fireworks finale. He said the show will kick off at 7 p.m., “weather permitting.”
Haunted Hoquiam
“We are excited to coordinate the trick-or-treat again, even though it may look a little different this year,” said Jody Peterson, Hoquiam Business Association president. “We are taking precautions and are committed to making this a safe and fun event for the kids in our community.”
The Hoquiam Business Association is once again organizing the downtown event, where kids can get decked out in their Halloween costumes and hit up 15 downtown businesses for candy between 1 and 3 p.m.
Locations who had signed up as of Monday included the YMCA of Grays Harbor, Sadistik Sykles, Rose’s Taqueria, Art HQx, the VFW, The Place to Be, Polson Museum, 8th Street Auction House, Tropical Tanning Salon & Boutique, Terrestrial Mapping, Village Concepts of Hoquiam – Channel Point (a drive-thru location), Gordon’s Service, Lions Guard Gaming, Grays Harbor Dance, and the 7th Street Theatre.
Peterson urged the importance of social distancing and other safety measures to ensure a fun and safe event.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures and personal protective equipment are encouraged,” she said. “Business owners and employees are asked to wear masks and gloves while handing out candy.”
People attending the event are asked to be respectful of the safety precautions in place at each business and to wear a mask that fits snugly over the nose and mouth. Attendees are encouraged to make masks part of their costumes; according to Center for Disease Control’s Halloween guidelines, a costume mask is not an appropriate substitute for PPE.
Standard safety measures apply: stay at least six feet apart to avoid direct contact with others, and anyone who has tested positive, been in contact with somebody who has tested positive, or is sick is encouraged to stay home.
Laser and music show
There will be a laser light and music show at the Hoquiam High School and Gable Park parking lots from 4-10 p.m., Winkelman announced Sunday.
Music will be provided by a DJ, and the event is hosted by the city, Emerald City Events, Slick Lasers, Tripdubb and DJ Happs. Winkelman said the company providing the Halloween laser light show is the same that did the show at Sonshine Park July 4. At the July 4 event, parking was spaced at the much smaller venue and those who left their cars either stood right next to them or walked to open areas well away from others, and Winkelman believes Saturday’s locations will provide plenty of room for social distancing.
“A radio broadcast is available for those who wish to stay in their cars for the show,” said Winkelman. “All participants who exit their vehicles must wear masks and maintain 10 feet from people who are not in your party.”
Immanuel Baptist Church is providing prepackaged candy treats to be handed out by masked and gloved volunteers. Winkelman said there will also be a photo contest with a $500 award for the best submission of a photo from the event. Any voluntary cash contributions will be collected for the benefit of Malden fire relief efforts.
Shrek at the 7th Street
The classic 2001 family film “Shrek” will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Hoquiam’s 7th Street Theatre. Attendance is limited to 300 to allow for social distancing. Tickets are $6 for all ages and can be purchased ahead of time at City Drug, Harbor Drug, online at https://7th-street-theatre-association.square.site/, or at the box office a half-hour before show time.
Rollerskating at the Harborena
The Harborena will host a Friday night kid’s skate from 3-5 p.m. for kids age 11 and younger. The cost is $5 per skater and $2 per non-skater. Costumes are encouraged, masks are required, and candy treats will be available.
