Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which means more trick-or-treaters, longer hours and more events packed into one weekend. For local governments, that’s a lot to communicate: trick-or-treat times, trunk-or-treats, parades, road closures and last-minute weather changes.

GONotify helps your team send one message that reaches residents everywhere they are: app push notifications, text, voice calls, email and social media. Here are 8 Halloween notifications you can borrow this year.

1. Trick-or-treat hours and safety reminders

“Trick-or-treat hours are Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. Drivers, please slow down in neighborhoods. Homeowners, turn your porch light on to welcome visitors. Extra patrols will be out all evening.”

Why it works: it sets clear expectations for families, drivers and homeowners in one message.

2. Trunk-or-treat at the park

“Join us Friday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Central Park for our free trunk-or-treat! Decorated cars, candy, a costume contest and photos with local firefighters. Rain or shine.”

Why it works: a Friday event gives families a second night of fun before the big day.

3. Parade route and road closures

“The Halloween parade steps off Saturday at 1 p.m. Main Street will be closed from 12 to 3 p.m. between 1st and 5th Avenue. Use Oak Street as a detour. View the map in the app.”

Why it works: it heads off traffic headaches and complaints before they start.

4. Weather update

“Due to forecasted rain, tonight’s haunted trail is moved to Sunday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. All tickets will be honored.”

Why it works: it reaches residents instantly when plans change.

5. Pet safety reminder

“Keep pets indoors during trick-or-treat hours and keep candy out of reach. Chocolate and xylitol are toxic to dogs. Call Animal Control at (555) 555-0100 to report a loose animal.”

Why it works: it’s a helpful, caring message residents appreciate.

6. Senior center Halloween social

“Adults 55+ are invited to our Halloween luncheon Friday, Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Costumes optional! RSVP by Wednesday.”

Why it works: you can send it to just the people it’s meant for.

7. Candy buy-back

“Too many treats? Bring extra candy to City Hall Monday, Nov. 2, through Wednesday, Nov. 4. We’ll donate it to our troops overseas.”

Why it works: it keeps the community engaged after the holiday.

8. Daylight saving time reminder

“Clocks fall back one hour Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 a.m. It’s a great time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries too!”

Why it works: daylight saving time ends the morning after Halloween this year, so it’s an easy, timely safety reminder.

Why GOGov makes Holiday communication easy

• Send everywhere at once. One message goes out by app, text, voice, email and social media.
• Schedule ahead. Set reminders days in advance so your team can enjoy the holiday too.
• Target by neighborhood. Send closure alerts only to the residents they affect.
• Update in real time. Change plans quickly when the weather does.
• Reach every resident in their preferred language.

When residents know what’s happening, events run smoother and neighborhoods stay safer. That’s why more than 700 agencies rely on GOGov to keep their communities informed.

See how GONotify can work for your community.

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