Slatington borough council has decided to allow for trick-or-treating this year despite the pandemic.

The council voted Monday night to permit the event, because they think children and parents will be safe enough since it is outside and can maintain social distancing.

Borough Manager Daniel Stevens said it is an optional event, so people who don’t feel comfortable participating don’t have to take part.

Council member Jason Ruff said, “It’s not necessarily as simple as you don’t want your kids to take part. We’re talking public health as a whole. But on the flip side, most people are wearing masks.”

Trick-or-treating will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 28.

Slatington also has a new event for Halloween. The Lehigh Valley Hot Air Association is hosting Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat and Hot Air Balloon Glow from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 23 at Slatington Airport. It is the first time for this event, said Council President Bryon Reed.

People can drive through and see the balloons, or get out of their car and pay for lawn seating with trick-or-treating. There will also be tethered and nontethered hot air balloon rides and photo ops.

Tickets for the drive-thru event are $15 plus fees for a five-person car and $25 plus fees for an up to 12-person van or SUV. Tickets are limited, and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-spooktacular-trick-or-treat-and-hot-air-balloon-glow-tickets-120082366591.

Information about the lawn seating and balloon rides is available on the same link.

The Homecoming Parade is a no go this year, Ruff said. It was canceled due to COVID-19. But the Four-legged Festival will be rescheduled for sometime in the spring.

Ruff also asked the council if the borough could make a charitable donation to Meals on Wheels. The organization is in need of financial support due to COVID-19 in order to replenish its food inventory.

Ruff said he looked into if anyone from Slatington received the meals and found out that nine residents receive two meals a day (one hot and one cold), 20 days a month.

“It ends up being a lot of food that they deliver to these residents in the borough,” he said. “I just figure we could help Meals on Wheels by helping them replenish a little bit.”

Ruff suggested that the borough donate $250, and it was approved by all the council members.

There will be an electronics recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 10 at the Slatington borough garage at 550 W. Church St. The event is for Slatington residents only. Proof of residency is required.

Items that can be recycled for free include: computers and their keyboards and mice, printers, cables and cords, cellphones and telephones, laptop batteries, battery backups, car batteries with sealed lead acid, ink cartridges, DVD players and VCRs, gaming systems, Christmas lights, microwaves, exercise equipment, filing cabinets, bed frames, rain spotting, one computer monitor or one 40-inch television. Cellphone batteries have to be removed. Other items can be recycled for a fee. See the borough’s website for a list.

The recycling event is no contact. People must stay in their vehicles and must wear a mask.