ANDERSONVILLE — Trick-or-treating is allowed this year — but neighbors are being asked to come up with socially distanced methods of handing out candy.
An Andersonville ice cream shop wants to reward the most ingenious Halloween candy delivery system.
George’s Ice Cream and Sweets, 5306 N. Clark St., has launched the “candy delivery system invention” contest. The person or family that builds the most inventive candy delivery system will win five pints of ice cream.
George’s general manager Charles Williams got the idea for the contest while thinking of a way to safely give out candy on Halloween.
Williams got the idea to repurpose the 3-gallon tubs that house the shop’s ice cream. He cleaned out the tubs and cut out the bottoms before taping them together and adding spooky decorations.
Williams shared the idea with David Oakes, director of business services for the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce. Oakes suggested holding a contest for the neighborhood, Williams said.
“It’s just a super fun thing,” Williams said. “Things are changing so fast. We just wanted to try something different.”
Neighbors have been getting creative in finding ways to allow for trick-or-treating during the pandemic. One of the most common solutions is to affix PVC piping to a banister, but that might not be enough to win George’s contest.
The most intricate systems Williams has seen so far involved a pulley system from a home’s front door to its gate.
Submissions to the contest must allow candy to be exchanged from a distance of at least 6 feet. Submissions should include video and/or photos of the invention. They can be sent to gics5306@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Friday.
A winner will be announced on Halloween, Williams said.
The Andersonville business community usually has a large trick-or-treating event on Halloween. That was replaced this year by a socially distanced event on Catalpa Avenue, where families are asked to sign up for a trick-or-treating time slot to avoid crowding.
George’s staff will be at the event using its own candy cannon to pass out treats to kids.
After the cancellation of so many events this year, Williams said he is glad Andersonville has found a way to celebrate Halloween. He is also happy to help spread the holiday’s joy with the invention contest.
“I’m super glad to be able to do it,” Williams said. “You’ve got to innovate in these times.”
For more information on the contest, click here.
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