As summer comes to a close, confectioners and consumers alike are looking forward to our industry’s next big candy moment: Halloween! According to recent research from the National Confectioners Association, an overwhelming 93% of young parents say they have plans to celebrate Halloween this year.
We expect this Halloween season to look a little different because the COVID-19 pandemic is still impacting our daily lives, but we have heard loud and clear that consumers are excited to get outside and celebrate this fall. In fact, our survey revealed that 82% of Americans say they are confident that they will find safe and creative ways to celebrate Halloween throughout the month of October.
Much like last year’s Halloween, many Americans will embrace new Halloween traditions this year, including celebrating Halloween at home with activities like candy scavenger hunts or video conference costume contests. These new types of celebrations defined last year’s Halloween season, and many of them are likely to make an appearance this year as the new traditions continue and families look for safe, socially distanced ways to make the Halloween season fun.
There’s also the chance to get back to our longstanding and traditional celebrations. Just recently, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky shared that trick-or-treating can safely take place because it is an outdoor event – welcome news to 80% of Americans who report that they intend to take part in this quintessential Halloween activity. With creative options like “trunk-or-treating” on the rise, these more traditional celebrations can introduce some spooky fun into outdoor settings.
No matter how families decide to celebrate, what’s important is that we continue to follow safety guidance from our local, state and federal health officials when it comes to in-person interaction.
To provide inspiration for this year’s Halloween season, NCA has compiled safety tips, fun facts and suggestions on how to celebrate in safe and creative ways at AlwaysATreat.com/Halloween.
Creative, safe and fun: this is #HowWeHalloween!
John Downs
