photo by: Ashley Golledge

Trick-or-treaters take part in the annual downtown Lawrence Halloween festivities in this file photo from Oct. 31, 2018.

Downtown Lawrence Inc. has decided to cancel its annual trick-or-treating event and community party for the second year in a row because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, though other events downtown are planned.

DLI Executive Director Sally Zogry said in a news release that the decision was based on the fact that children under 12 cannot yet get vaccinated against the virus.

“Given that vaccines for children aged 5-11 are just now being approved we have made the decision that we will not hold our annual trick or treating event or community Halloween party this year,” Zogry said in the release. “We look forward to welcoming trick or treaters of all ages once kids in this age group have the opportunity to be vaccinated and for large crowds to gather more safely.”

Formal approval to provide low-dose Pfizer vaccines to children 5-11 is expected within the next two weeks, The Associated Press reported Wednesday. The White House announced plans Wednesday to make the vaccine available for that age group at pediatrician’s offices, local pharmacies and potentially even schools once approval is granted.

The release states that kid-friendly trick-or-treating and Halloween activities will occur at both the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., and the Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St., on Oct. 31. The library event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. and the event at the Watkins will go from 5 to 8 p.m. and will include a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. Other events are also planned for the downtown area.