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Mayor Ronnie Thompson will declare the curfew from 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 1, the city said in a news release. The curfew will not apply to church or school events or activities that typically see high traffic on Halloween. Costumes may obstruct vision, and many roads already are down to one lane due to debris lingering from Hurricane Helene.

“Stepping out into the street to get around (debris) is extremely dangerous, especially during low-light hours and evenings,â€� said Jason Whisnant, chief of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Department of Public Safety. “And let’s just face it. People are not paying as much attention as they should when driving their vehicles.â€�

The city is recommending families forgo traditional, door-to-door trick-or-treating this year and instead opt for events like the Halloween Spooktacular in downtown Â鶹´«Ã½.

During the Spooktacular event, businesses in downtown Â鶹´«Ã½ will pass out candy for trick-or-treaters from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, the city said. From 3-6 p.m., a Halloween Carnival will be held with free hayrides, pumpkin decorating and inflatables, all provided by Summit Community Church.

Check out pumpkin heads on stilts parading around the square from 4-6 p.m., and find your spot to watch the witches dance on East Union Street at 4:15 p.m.

At 5 p.m., get ready for a free costume contest for kids up to 10 years old, with prizes for first, second and third places.

The Burke County Chamber of Commerce compiled a list of other Halloween events. Those events include:

SATURDAY, OCT. 26

• Boo Bash at First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King St., Morganton, from 6:30-8 p.m.
• Fall Festival at Brown Mountain Baptist Church, 2046 Brown Mountain Beach Road, Morganton, from 4-8 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Burke County Rescue Squad, 120 St. Mary’s Church Road, Morganton, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 27

• Fall Festival at East Burke High School Football Stadium, 3695 East Burke Blvd., Connelly Springs, from 4-6 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat/Fall Festival at Enon Baptist Church, 2059 Enon Road, Valdese

TUESDAY, OCT. 29

• Trunk or Treat at TEAM Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 910 Jamestown Road, from 5-7 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at The Berkeley, 330 Juniper St., Morganton, from 5-7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30

• Fall Festival at High Peak Baptist Church, 3073 High Peak Road, Valdese, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 31

• Burke County Chamber of Commerce Trick or Treat Event, 110 E. Meeting St., Morganton, from 3-7 p.m.
• Drive-thru Trick-or-Treat at Brendletown Fire and Rescue Station 2, 3646 Bennett Road, Morganton, from 6-9 p.m.
• Fall Into Fun at First Apostolic Church, 325 Drexel Road, Morganton, from 6-7:30 p.m.
• Jam-boo-ree at Western Piedmont Community College, 1001 Burkemont Ave., Morganton, from 3-5 p.m.
• Treats in the Streets in downtown Valdese from 4-6 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Amherst Baptist Church, 1024 Amherst Road, Morganton, from 6:30-8 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Carolina Rehab Center of Burke, 3647 Miller Bridge Road, Icard, from 5-7 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Hairway to Heaven Salon, 2740 U.S. Hwy. 64, Morganton, at 5 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Long View Recreation Center, 3107 2nd Ave. NW, Long View, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Melanie’s Menagerie, 101 E. Main St., Morganton, from 5-8 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Poison Apple Studios, 107 Jamestown Road, Morganton, from 5:30-7 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Zion Baptist Church, 3394 Pea Ridge Road, Morganton, from 6-8 p.m.