Lowe’s hosting early curbside trick-or-treating; Krispy Kreme serving up free doughnuts, ‘scary sweets’

Halloween is expected to look different across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, with health officials advising against traditional trick-or-treating.

But some national chains — including Lowe’s and Krispy Kreme – plan to offer alternatives.

The home improvement retailer announced Monday it will have “drive-through curbside trick-or-treating” at Lowe’s stores nationwide Oct. 22 and 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. where families “can drive up to receive candy and a small pumpkin at no cost to take home.” Reservations are required and space is limited, but starting Saturday, Oct. 10, families can reserve a spot for the early Halloween events at Lowes.com/DIY, Lowe’s said in a news release, adding costumes are encouraged but not required.

“We know that customers still want to celebrate Halloween, even if the holiday may look different for us this year,” Joe McFarland, Lowe’s executive vice president of stores, said in the release. “While the pandemic has changed many elements of everyday life, the tradition of trick-or-treating doesn’t have to be one of them.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is suggesting lower-risk activities such as Halloween-themed scavenger hunts at home or placing prefilled treat bags at the end of driveways for kids to pick up.

Among the riskiest Halloween activities when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19 are door-to-door trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating — “where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots” — and indoor parties or haunted houses, the CDC says.

Krispy Kreme free Halloween donuts, plus ‘Sweet-or-Treat’ Saturday specials

Starting Oct. 10, and every Saturday through Halloween, Krispy Kreme will have “Sweet-or-Treat” Saturdays. With the purchase of any dozen doughnuts, get a $1 Sweet-or-Treat dozen.

The Sweet-or-Treat Original Glazed dozen “is individually wrapped and includes a not-so-scary special edition Jack-o’-Lantern Doughnut,” Krispy Kreme said in a news release.

In addition, Krispy Kreme has introduced a new batch of Scary Sweet Monster Doughnuts, a sweet take on three classic Halloween monsters:

• Frank Monster Doughnut: A doughnut filled with Original Kreme, dipped in green icing, and decorated like a classic monster with icing, sprinkles, and pretzel piece bolts.
• Drake Monster Doughnut: A doughnut with raspberry filling, dipped in light purple icing, and decorated like a classic monster with icing and sugar piece eyes.
• Wolfie Monster Doughnut: An Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing and decorated like a werewolf with Chocolate Kreme, a sugar piece face and cinnamon sugar cereal ears.

On Halloween, wear a costume to a participating U.S. Krispy Kreme or drive-thru to get a free doughnut.

Read more at usatoday.com

Contributing: Miriam Di Nunzio, Chicago Sun-Times