Hopewell Borough’s Columbia Avenue will be a pedestrian-only Halloween zone for children and families to trick-or-treat in their costumes for the annual celebration of Halloween.
When Halloween returns this weekend on Oct. 31, the pedestrian-only zone will close Columbia Avenue, Seminary Avenue, Princeton Avenue, and Maple Street to provide a safe zone for children to go trick-or-treating with their families from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Columbia Avenue, the closure runs from the EMS driveway to the near corner of Elm Street. Seminary, Princeton, and Maple will be blocked where they meet Columbia, according to the borough.
The borough noted that motorists driving into the borough on Princeton Avenue will be detoured to East Prospect Street and Elm Street to reach Broad Street, and detour signs will be posted.
Additionally, Hopewell Elementary School is the location for any visitors or residents who need access to their cars.
The pedestrian-only zone for spooky celebration where children are able to go door to door to collect candy was planned by the borough, Hopewell Township Police Department, the Hopewell Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services, and Hopewell Valley Emergency Services.
Township police will be patrolling that evening. There will be tables handing out candy along the route from Borough Council, the Fire Department’s Women’s Auxiliary, and Hopewell Police.
Halloween as a global celebration (also known as All Hallows’ Eve) was developed from the ancient Celtic ritual of Samhain. Samhain was a festival celebrating the changing of season light to dark or summer to winter, which would usually take place around Nov. 1, according to the New York Public Library.
The tradition would have a bonfire lit, people would prepare sweets, and costumes were worn to ward off evil spirits.
The NY Public Library shared how the Celtics believed the veil separating the world of the living and the world of dead was at its thinnest during this time of year.
