Mayor Caroline McCarley is discouraging traditional door to door trick-or-treating, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are strongly discouraging trick-or-treating this year,” said Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley. “There are multiple alternative, safer options in the works for children and families.”

In preparation for this announcement, the Rochester Recreation Department has planned a variety of fun, safe alternatives to trick-or-treating this year:

• Rec ’n Spook
  Limited space. Signups start October 9
  How would you like to have some fun with our camp counselors in your backyard? Rec en Route was such a hit with our families, we decided to bring it back for a week in October! If you are a Rochester resident, then this is the program for you! Rec ’n Spook is a new program that will bring fun activities and games right to your door! This program will provide an opportunity for kids to engage in a variety of “camp-like” activities and interact with some of our experienced camp staff. Two staff members will meet you and your children at your home (outside) and spend 45 minutes conducting a variety of activities such as trivia, games, arts & crafts, science experiments, and counselor challenges!
• Halloween Hayride – Saturday, October 24, 2020 (12:00pm-7:00pm)
  Limited space. Signups start October 1
  Do you dare enter the haunted woods in the heart of Gonic? Join us in the woods, where many a disc golfer has ventured… never to be seen again! Hold your loved ones tight as we travel past the graveyard and witches coven — where they are sure to cast a spell on you! Do you really believe we would be scaring our youngest members? NAH! We aren’t planning to scare anyone, just planning a fun hayride in one of our wonderful outdoor spaces. As night falls, we may be tempted with some jump scares for the older kids, if they up for it… We like to have fun too! Are you brave enough to journey down the crooked paths not knowing what awaits? This event is weather dependent. Rain date: Sunday, October 25, 2020. One family per hayride.
• Our Towns Scarecrow Contest
  October 1 to October 25
  Calling all residents in Alton, Effingham, New Durham, Ossipee, Rochester, Wakefield, and Wolfboro! Prizes will be awarded for the best scarecrow in each community! Create your best scarecrow between October 1 and October 25. Display it at your home or business. Send a picture to ourtownsrec@gmail.com along with your name, town, and your physical address (if you’d like to be included in the scarecrow map.) You do not need to submit your address to be included in the contest. One winner from each community will be selected. Once a winner from each town is selected, we will put out a community vote to select the best scarecrow in the region!

Contact the Recreation Department at (603) 332-4120 or visit www.rochesterrec.com for signups, inquires, or requests for more information.