CAIRO — The City of Cairo has announced that its annual Boo on Broad trick-or-treating event has been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We just can’t find a way to ensure safety from COVID,” said Mayor Howard Thrower. “It doesn’t have anything to do with traffic or anything else other than COVID.”

Main Street director Alyssa Blakley made the determination this week not to submit an event application to hold the annual downtown candy giveaway at the Cairo City Council’s next meeting October 12.

Officials at Roddenbery Memorial Library and the Downtown Development Authority are considering hosting a drive-through trick-or-treat event in lieu of Boo on Broad taking place. The matter may be discussed at the city council’s meeting next week.

Thrower noted that individuals may still go trick-or-treating on their own accord.

The announcement comes on the heels of the Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce’s own announcement this week that the annual Christmas parade has been canceled. Cairo High School will also not move forward with its own homecoming parade.

Thrower said both the Chamber and high school had submitted event requests for their respective parades, but both were withdrawn following discussions with city officials.

“We just don’t think we can do them safely,” Thrower said.