Halloween | ARLnow.com

Ashton Heights Scales Back N. Jackson Street Halloween Festivities

Published October 9, 2020 at 11:00AM

Halloween decorations along N. Jackson Street (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Homes on N. Jackson Street in Ashton Heights may put up Halloween decorations this year, but most will not hand out treats in order to discourage trick-or-treating and follow state and national health guidelines.

The Virginia Department of Health recommends that people avoid traditional trick or treating because it is a “higher risk activity.” North Jackson Street neighbors — noted for having the most elaborate Halloween decorations in Arlington — decided that respecting this guidance would mean foregoing the usual Halloween revelry.

Opinion

Morning Poll: Are You Decorating for Halloween This Year?

By ARLnow.com

Published October 6, 2020 at 9:35AM

(Updated at 9:45 a.m.) Halloween has not been cancelled, but the pandemic is putting a damper on the usual spooky spirit of the holiday.

The owner of a local costume store in the Crystal City Shops told the Washington Post that his sales are down 80%, amid a nationwide drop in Halloween spending. Sales of adult costumes in particular are down significantly, as parties are curtailed.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 5, 2020 at 6:00AM | Updated October 5, 2020 at 9:30AM

Girl’s Study Shed Featured on NBC — With the help of a local Facebook group called “Buy Nothing,” an Arlington dad built a study shed for his daughter using materials donated by neighbors. The project was featured on Saturday’s national NBC Nightly News broadcast. [YouTube, Washington Post]

APS Graduation Rate Improves — “Arlington’s public-school students posted a 93.4-percent on-time graduation rate up from 92.5 percent a year before, according to new data from the Virginia Department of Education. Rates rose among both genders and in major racial/ethnic groups compared to the Class of 2019, while the school system’s dropout rate showed improvement, declining from 5.6 percent in 2019 to 4.9 percent in 2020.” [InsideNova]

Around Town

County: No Plans to Regulate Halloween Activity

By ARLnow.com

Published October 1, 2020 at 10:45AM | Updated October 1, 2020 at 11:02AM

(Updated at 11 a.m.) Arlington County does not regulate Halloween activity and does not appear to have any plans to do so this year.

While some communities have official trick-or-treating times, the revelry has always been unofficial in Arlington — running roughly from sunset to 8 p.m. or so.

Opinion

Morning Poll: What’s Your Halloween Candy Plan?

By ARLnow.com

Published September 29, 2020 at 9:00AM

Halloween is a month away, but people are already starting to wonder how it’s going to play out.

Health authorities are cautioning against trick-or-treating during the pandemic. So far it has not been officially banned, but there is historical precedence for doing so.

News

Arlington County, CDC Caution Against Halloween Trick-or-Treating

By Scott Fields

Published September 23, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 11:13AM

In a year that has been more trick than treat, traditional Halloween activities may be next on the chopping block.

Arlington County has not yet issued an official directive for Halloween this year. However, Arlington’s Public Health Director Dr. Reuben Varghese is cautioning against participation in trick-or-treating or other traditional Halloween activities due to the pandemic.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published November 4, 2019 at 6:00AM | Updated November 4, 2019 at 8:51AM

Fall foliage in Arlington Ridge (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington Office Market Improving — Arlington County landing Amazon HQ2, a selection announced one year ago this month, has helped move its office market in the right direction after years of struggles. The office vacancy rate in National Landing, the newly branded area comprising the Crystal City and Pentagon City neighborhoods, dropped from 19.6% in Q3 2018 to 16% as of Sept. 30, the lowest level since 2012, according to JLL.” [Bisnow]

Chamber Supports Keeping Dillon Rule — “Facing a possible Democratic majority in the General Assembly, @ArlVAChamber is standing firm in its support of the Dillon Rule. Why? A Dem majority could allow localities like Arlington to raise the minimum wage.” [Twitter, InsideNova]

Around Town

Photos: Trick or Treaters Pose for Portraits at Ballston Quarter

By Jay Westcott

Published November 1, 2019 at 3:30PM

Joanne, John, and James McGraw (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Despite a Tornado Watch and a forecast calling for severe weather, dozens of Arlingtonians descended on Ballston Quarter to trick-or-treat in the shopping center on Halloween.

ARLnow was there and some costumed characters posed for our cameras.

Weather

JUST IN: Tornado Watch Issued for Arlington, Region

By ARLnow.com

Published October 31, 2019 at 3:05PM

A Tornado Watch has been issued for Arlington and the D.C. region as severe storms threaten dangerous conditions amid tonight’s Halloween festivities.

The Tornado Watch is in effect until midnight.

Around Town

Video: Ovi and the Caps Celebrate Nats Win in Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Published October 31, 2019 at 9:00AM

Champagne was spraying, people were jumping around and the whole room filled with deafening shouts.

That was the scene at the Washington Capitals’ annual Halloween party last night, as the Stanley Cup-winning hockey team celebrated D.C.’s newest champions, the World Series-winning Nationals.

Around Town

Photos: Elaborate Halloween Decorations Across Arlington

By Kalina Newman

Published October 30, 2019 at 9:15AM | Updated October 30, 2019 at 9:31AM

Halloween decorations along N. Jackson Street (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 9:20 a.m.) With October 31 a day away, houses across Arlington are pulling out all of the stops for dressing up their homes for Halloween.

Popular decorations seem to be cobwebs and the classic carved pumpkin, while others opt for blown-up witches, pumpkins, skeletons, ghouls, and more. As usual, the famous N. Jackson Street in Ashton Heights seems to have some of the most extravagant Halloween displays, but other residential stretches like 38th Street N. in the Old Glebe neighborhood also have a bounty of clever creations.

Around Town

Here’s What You Need to Know About Halloween 2019 in Arlington County

By ARLnow.com

Published October 28, 2019 at 9:05AM | Updated October 28, 2019 at 1:20PM

(Updated at 1:20 p.m.) Rain is in the forecast for Halloween, but Arlingtonians should nonetheless expect trick-or-treaters out on local roads and sidewalks Thursday evening.

There is no official trick-or-treating time in Arlington, as there is in some places, but typically the evening costume-wearing and candy-gathering starts around 6 p.m. on Halloween night (Oct. 31) and runs until 8-9 p.m.