© Richard HuangFor Halloween 2020, the government advised children not to follow tradition and go trick-or-treating because of the pandemic, in order to avoid unnecessary contact. Naturally, the children were disappointed. An organization put on a drive-through Halloween light show in the parking lot of the Richmond Hill GO station—and reportedly at other locations as well. Families watched from inside their own cars, without the risk of coming into contact with others. It proved hugely popular, and every ticket sold out.
© Richard HuangThey brought the event back this year, so we went along to join the fun. We booked our ticket online: $25 for two people in one car, with slightly higher prices for additional passengers.
© Richard HuangWe arrived ten minutes early, but a long line of cars had already formed. When our turn came, they scanned our ticket and let us in.
We tuned the car radio to FM 92.7 to hear the music being broadcast on-site, while the lights flashed in time with the beat.
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard HuangThe children were delighted. Many opened their sunroofs and stood up to watch with their heads above the roof.
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard Huang
© Richard HuangAs we were leaving, a number of staff members were handing out candy.
© Richard Huang
© Richard HuangThe light show lasted half an hour. Listening to the music and watching the fantastical displays flicker past—all from the safety of the car—was really quite enjoyable. A light rain was falling that day, but from inside the car it did not affect us at all. If anything, it added to the atmosphere.