Fall, Halloween Events Still Planned in El Paso Despite COVID-19

After a summer short on events and entertainment options, we’re all cautiously optimistic the coronavirus will continue to release its grip on the area and allow us opportunities to celebrate the spooky season.

So, what's the current status for outdoor sweater weather fun and activities like haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes?

I reached out to event organizers, and consulted Facebook pages and websites to find out where things stand for the fall and Halloween events El Pasoans look forward to most. Long story short, some will forge onward, others won’t. Those that do go forward will do so differently.

Though COVID-19 concerns may change the current status of planned events if the pandemic comes roaring back, for now you can look forward to picking out pumpkins, having monsters and chainsaw wielding psychos jump out at you, and getting playfully frightened at a family-oriented "children’s carnival.”

Haunted Houses

Forbidden Acres

Plan to open with restrictions on weekends starting Oct. 2. More details in the coming weeks.

Terror Trail Haunted House

Cancelled. “Understanding the concerns the public has about large gatherings, we have made the painful and responsible decision to not open this season. We want the Terror Trail be the reason for your fears, not some virus.”

Massacre on Marshall Road

Cancelled.

El Paso County Sherriff’s Office Haunted House

“We have some projects in the works, stay tuned” is all the info they were willing to give up.

Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches

La Union Maze

Because New Mexico has not eased its gathering restrictions, La Union is still in ‘wait and see’ mode. While they await word on when or if the maze will be allowed to open, they’re hard at work planting and growing. “One thing we do know, we will have plenty of pumpkins!”

El Paso’s Corn Maze

EPCM tells me they are “finalizing plans for a modified 2020 season” that will most likely consist of limited events and activities “to support safety and social distancing.” They hope to have more information at the end of the month.

Mesilla Valley Maze/Las Cruces

Per a post on the farm’s Facebook, they have made the “difficult decision” to not have a maze this year, and instead “we will be opening just our country store for pumpkin sales on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the month of October with no admission fee.” Unfortunately, that means you won’t be able to pick you own pumpkins out in the field.

Ramirez Pecan Farm Pumpkin Painting

The farm plans on going on with the October weekend event with safety protocols in place. "Some changes will be customers will need to reserve a spot and pumpkin [in advance], and paint kits will be take to tables."

Annual Family/Group Halloween Celebrations

Spooktacular hosted by Junior Woman’s Club of El Paso

The JWC plans to move forward with the event. “It is going to look different but we are still going to have it.” They promise more details “in the coming weeks.”

Boo at the Zoo

Tentative. As of right now, the zoo remains closed but continues to work with the city towards a reopening date. Whether the zoo will once again transform into the wildest trick-or-treat spot in town will depend on if and when it will be allowed to open again to the public.

City of El Paso Parks & Rec Halloween Carnivals

I did not hear back from the city regarding this, but rec centers remain on pause, save for the ones currently being used as WiFi Centers, so it's highly unlikely El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting Halloween carnivals this year.