Jill Schramm/MDN Yard decorations outside a northeast Minot home indicate the Halloween season is here.

Halloween won’t be stopped by a coronavirus pandemic, but some organizations are changing up the way their events look to be able to continue to offer them safely.

The annual downtown treat trail for preschool children will be in place Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, sponsored by the Downtown Business & Professional Association. Children are invited to dress up and follow the trail.

“It’s one of the downtown signature annual events,” said Jessica Ackerman with the DBPA. “This year there will be almost 20 businesses participating. We are happy to be able to offer this option to the preschoolers in the community.”

With businesses spread over 12 blocks, children will be able to social distance on the treat trail. Businesses will have employees stationed outdoors and wearing masks and gloves.

A map of the trail can be found on the association’s Facebook event page. Participating businesses also are to display pumpkin posters in their front windows.

The Sawyer Booster Club and For Belle’s Sake Animal Rescue are cooperating to offer a haunted house at Sawyer City Hall Friday from 7 to midnight. The haunted house has been open weekends since Oct. 16. The Booster Club has conducted the haunted house fundraiser for several years, and this year is working with and will share profits with For Belle’s Sake. Cost to participate is $10, and the “scare” can be tempered at the request of parents who want their younger children to take part.

The Barn at 52 Pines, Burlington, has been hosting Haunted Hills at 52 Pines this Halloween season. The haunted trail will be open Friday and Saturday this week. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the trail opens at 7 pm.

The $20 cost includes a free drink at completion. People are advised to wear appropriate hiking shoes. It is recommended participants be age 14 or older, but younger children can come with a parent or guardian. The Barn at 52 Pines is located just west of Minot. Take the Des Lacs turnoff on U.S. Highway 2 & 52.

A Haunted Car Wash is taking place at Fastlane Car Wash, 312 31st Ave. SW, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. Full STEAM Ahead has teamed up with Fastlane to offer the event. The cost is the price of a wash, which ranges from $13-$19. Half of proceeds will go to Full STEAM Ahead for its children’s educational programming.

Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot will distribute treats at its annual Boo at the Zoo, which will be a drive-through event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $5 per vehicle.

Some churches are continuing their traditions of offering Trunk or Treat events but not always in quite the same form. Among them are the First Church of the Nazarene and First Lutheran in Minot and Peace Lutheran Church in Burlington.

First Church of the Nazarene will hold Trunk-R-Treat on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. at 2500 W. Central Ave. The event will look somewhat different from past years with greater spacing between vehicle trunks and mask requirements. Instead of offering food in the church foyer, there will be a hot dog and water station to distribute food to go.

First Lutheran will hold Trunk or Treat Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. in its north parking lot. The event will look much like in past years, but tables will be set up in front of the trunks with treats for youngsters to pick up.

Peace Lutheran will hold a Trick-or-Treat Drive-Through in its parking lot in Burlington from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Costumed individuals will be handing out candy.

HighAir Ground will host a Halloween Lock-in Party from Saturday at 11 p.m. to Sunday at 7 a.m. The event is open to youths ages 8 to 15, and the cost is $40. Participation will be limited to 40 youth. Activities will include arcade games, trampoline fun and contests, other games and a costume contest. Pizza and snacks will be served. Parents can sign up their children at www.highairground.com or by calling 837-5867.

Mouse River Players will perform a “Murder in Manhattan” dinner show at the Clarion Hotel Saturday. Doors and the bar open at 6 p.m., followed by the prime rib dinner and play at 7 p.m.

“Murder in Manhattan” invites dinner guests to the anniversary bash of Francis Fisk, a noted businessman. Also invited are Fisk’s high-society friends, family members and business associates who live in a world of intrigue, gossip, treachery and endless jockeying for social superiority. A rolling blackout provides someone with the opportunity to advance socially through a murder. No one wants to risk the scandal of press and police involvement, so guests must work together to sift through the evidence and identify the killer in their midst.

Tickets are available at the Clarion and on Eventbrite.com. Tickets will be sold at the door, based on availability. COVID-19 friendly seating will limit attendance. Cost is $50 plus tax.