The show will go on for annual Monster Mash Halloween event in Covington

A trio of happy little monsters takes a breather during Monster Mash 2019. The annual event, is hosted by St. Tammany Hospital Foundation to benefit St. Tammany Health System’s Parenting Center, will be held in 2020 but as a drive-through, in deference to social distancing concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (STHS file image)

By STHS Communication Department

It’s official: Monster Mash is a go this year – although the annual community Halloween party will be noticeably different than in years past, in deference to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It still will be a graveyard smash, with all the costumes, candy and crafts local residents have come to expect from the event. But in the interest of social distancing, this year will mark the first time in its 32-year history that Monster Mash will be a drive-through, St. Tammany Hospital Foundation’s Melanie Rudolph said.

“Make room in your vehicle. Clean it out before you come, because we’re going to be loading them up with sugar and all kinds of fun stuff,” Rudolph said. “Everything you’ve loved about Monster Mash will remain. It’s all going to be there. You’ll just get to enjoy it from the safety of your own vehicle.”

Presented for the fourth year by title sponsor Metairie Bank Northshore and benefitting St. Tammany Health System’s Parenting Center, this year’s family-friendly Halloween shindig will take place Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Once again, it’ll be held in Covington’s Bogue Falaya Park, the approach to which will be lined with fun, not-so-scary Halloween sights – although, to avoid traffic jams, all ticket holders will be assigned times at which they should show up.

“All along the route we’re going to have people dressed up, and when you purchase your ticket online, you’ll get a downloadable map for an ‘I Spy’ game along the way,” Parenting Center Executive Director Lori Cage said. “And then when you get in the park, we’ll still have booths, where we’ll give you candy and crafts that you can take home.”

Each ticket-holder will also receive a commemorative trick-or-treat bag, a take-home craft kit by Home Depot, a take-home cookie kit and more.

Additionally, VIP tickets are being sold that will allow holders access to a special park experience sponsored by Ochsner Hospital for Children and featuring a photo booth, upgraded trick-or-treating and a pumpkin patch, among other features.

All tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available for purchase online only starting Monday (Sept. 28) at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation website. Standard drive-through tickets are $10 per child. VIP drive-through tickets are $20 per child.

Information on sponsorship opportunities is also available at the foundation website.

“It’s going to look a little different this year, but we are so excited to pull it off,” Rudolph said. “These kids need Halloween. We all need the holidays. So we’re really excited to be able do some kind of trick-or-treating experience for the kids in our community.”

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Monster Mash is a rain-or-shine event. If it is rained out, please consider your ticket or sponsor purchase a donation to the STHS Parenting Center.