What Halloween will look like this year in Southwest Florida after Ian

Halloween in Southwest Florida may not be quite the same this year after Hurricane Ian.

The city of Punta Gorda is encouraging people to make new plans for Halloween.

A lot of concern about missing traffic signals and stop signs and all the debris piling up can be dangerous for kids.

On Pelican Boulevard, many people who live here said families take their kids trick or treating every year to get in the Halloween spirit but it is a bit desolate after Hurricane Ian.

Marion Emer said her great-grandchildren typically trick or treat in her neighborhood. She hopes the holiday can have some normalcy to it.

“I’m hoping that pelican will because they usually do it up really big. And I’m hoping that it but so far in my travels, I haven’t noticed anything happening here. It’s getting close,” Emer said.

After Ian, some cities including Punta Gorda and Fort Myers canceled festivities. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do for Southwest Floridians.

The United Methodist Annual Pumpkin Patch will be filled with pumpkins and due to the storm, the event is going to start a week later than it usually would.

Kayla Wiley, a reverend associate pastor said, “what’s been so important is knowing that children need normalcy with a pumpkin patch opening this Saturday and with trunk or treat next Friday. It’s just a way for us to still serve our community, but really having a piece of normalcy in the midst of the chaos has been really important for us in our discernment and trying to figure out what to do as a community.”

Emer said she just wants her great-grandchildren to come to visit and enjoy the neighborhood so many children trick or treat at every year.

“I’m hoping it doesn’t fizzle out completely. Genuinely I go next door, sit with my neighbor and hand out tricks and treats,” Emer said.

Many people are still planning to celebrate Halloween and give out candy despite the lack of decoration but they want to warn people to be careful around the debris still around.

Cape Coral still has its Trunk or Treat and movie night coming up and Collier County has its centennial birthday at the Boo-Tacular event.