Crimestoppers, LCSO move Halloween event to fairgrounds

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - It's wildly popular and has outgrown it's home, so the annual Lee County CrimeStoppers and Lee County Sheriff's annual No Tricks Just Treats event is moving.

Tammy LeMaster, with Lee County CrimeStoppers said despite the limitations of 2020 amidst COVID-19 restrictions, the event was so popular last year, that she and Lee County Sheriff Stacy Weber decided holding it at the sheriff's department was out of the question,

"At first Stacy and I had talked and we realized we had outgrown the sheriff's office. We had talked about a new venue, and with COVID-19 restrictions we thought the Fairgrounds would be a middle ground in the county."

The event is now set to take place as a drive-thru trick or treat at the Lee County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

LeMaster said kids will have to stay in their cars, but there will be plenty to keep them entertained. And the whole event has the seal of approval from the Lee County Health Department.

"They came out with Stacy this week and looked over what we are planning to do and they were very impressed with the program. They are even coming out to be a part of it," she said.

Businesses have come out to support the event more than ever, LeMaster said. There has been such an overwhelming response that businesses are being asked out on Monday, Oct. 12 to pick out a spot along the route.

"But we have room for more. We will always make room for more people to come and be a part of this event."

She said children and adults alike need some sense of normalcy and this is the closest they can get this year to a normal event.

"2020 has been such a crappy and awful year. These kids, and let's be honest, as adults, we need something happy and kind of normal. Even though this isn't traditional, it's as traditional as we can make it."

Weber said the event couldn't go on without the support of so many.

"The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is looking forward to a safe and enjoyable Halloween event for the county’s children," he said.

"We appreciate the assistance from our county Health Department and the private businesses and citizens who generously donated to assure this event is one for the memory books."

LeMaster said there will be a movie playing as the families drive in and then there will be some skits, all the candy being handed out in full personal protective equipment, popcorn, hot dogs, and a bottle of water at the end.

"I'm so excited about getting to do it this year. I look forward to it every year, but being able to put it on again this year is really special."

Anyone interested in being a part of the event can call the sheriff's office at 319-372-1152.

The following businesses are already participating in the free event: AC Contracting, Axalta, BTR, Casey's Fort Madison (East), Conn Communications, Connection Bank, Dollar General (Donnellson), Farm Bureau Keokuk, Iowa Fertilizer Co., Fox Theater, Heaton Excavation, Hy-Vee Fort Madison and Keokuk, Kempker True Value Rental, Keokuk Contractors, KHQA, Krebill Seed, Larry and Connie Kelch, Laura Wills, Lee County Bank, Lee County Fair Board, Lee County Speedway, Midwest Honda, Optimae, Rairden's, Shearers, Sonny's Supermarket, Southern Iowa Recycle, SubArena, Two Rivers Grain Inspection, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, You're Heat and Air Guy.

Crimestoppers, Halloween, kids, lee county, Lee County Fairgrounds, October, Pen City Current, sheriff, trick or treat

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