KEY WEST BUSINESSES HOST SAFE HALLOWEEN ‘MASK-QUERADE’

Dragon and dinosaurs, oh my! All manner of creatures and characters filled the amphitheater in small groups on Halloween night. PAUL MENTA/Contributed

Concerns about coronavirus troubled parents of trick-or-treaters this year, but the Key West business community stepped up and provided a safe and socially distanced Halloween event at the Coffee Butler Key West Amphitheater.

The Mom & Pop Key West small business group sponsored the Mask-querade, under the direction of Paul Menta, who owns Key West’s First Legal Rum Distillery.

The event welcomed 525 masked and costumed kids, who were admitted in groups to allow for social distancing, Menta said. They trick-or-treated at decorated tables manned by local business owners who gave away everything from candy to cupcakes.And at a much smaller event across town, a group of Key West friends gathered at Higgs Beach for their own tricks and treats.

Dragons, dinosaurs and everything in between were welcome at the Mask-querade event at Truman Waterfront. PAUL MENTA/Contributed
The children’s song was running through everyone’s head, “Baby shark, do do do-do do do…’ upon seeing this trio at the inaugural Mom & Pop Key West Mask-querade event on Halloween. PAUL MENTA/Contributed
The Key West High School Conchettes dance team entertains the crowd at the Mom & Pop Key West Mask-querade event. PAUL MENTA/Contributed
Roux, the skeleton dog, took Halloween in stride during an informal Halloween gathering at Higgs Beach with owners Erin and Caroline Stover Sickmen. ERIN STOVER SICKMEN/Keys Weekly
Nancy Curran prepares to fly away on her broomstick at Higgs Beach on Halloween. ERIN STOVER SICKMEN/Keys Weekly
A hot dog eating a hot dog? Only at Halloween. Erin Stover Sickmen enjoys a Halloween cookout with friends at Higgs Beach. CAROLINE STOVER SICKMEN/Contributed