Sudbury Will Have First Accessible Halloween Trick-Or-Treating In 2023

SUDBURY, MA — Sudbury in 2023 will host a unique Halloween event offering accessible trick-or-treating for local young people.

During the Halloween event, trick-or-treaters can visit Meadowbrook Circle and Meadowbrook Road, where homes will have treat stations at the ends of driveways for easy access. Each home will put out two bowls with peanut, nut, and gluten-free treats, and another with toys for all other allergies. Each home will also offer sensory-friendly decorations with no strobing lights, loose pets or loud noises.

The idea came from the family of Sudbury Commission on Disability member Karyn Jones, whose 5-year-old son has cerebral palsy. There are a limited number of homes in town that offer access to his wheelchair, and he only got to visit two houses last year. Halloween 2022 ended in tears due to how short it was, Jones said.

Jones' daughter, Annabelle, 9, decided to see if there are any solutions. She discovered a Canadian organization that offers tips and support for making Halloween more accessible, and that Needham hosts an accessible trick-or-treating event.

"[My brother] cried the whole time saying it wasn’t fair. It was hard, because we wanted to go trick-or-treating as a family, and we couldn’t. It still makes me sad remembering," Annabelle Jones said in a news release.

Karyn Jones brought the idea to the Commission on Disability, and has received donations from local businesses and residents.

"It is reported that 1 in 6 children have a disability, and 1 in 13 children have food allergies. The more we can do to support our families so they can participate in a full and active life, the better our community will be," Commission on Disability Chair Cameron LaHaise said in a news release.

The Oct. 31 trick-or-treating event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and anyone is welcome, no registration necessary. Find out more details on the event website.

Sudbury will also have trick-or-treating available at the Flynn Building, 278 Old Sudbury Road, the town clerk's office, 322 Concord Road and the Sudbury History Museum, 288 Old Sudbury Road, between 3 and 4 p.m. on Halloween.