THIS year’s Pumpkin Path in Knutsford is set to be ‘drastically’ different to previous years because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Families search for pumpkins hidden in shop windows and spell out the words ‘Pumpkin Path’ on their entry forms, which they post into a dedicated post box and potentially win prizes.

The event usually takes place on King Street, Minshull Street and Regent Street, with entertainment at the Market Hall on Silk Mill Street and some shops on Princess Street participating by decorating their windows and handing out goodies.

The event has become very popular in recent years, with more than 2,000 attending last year’s event.

A report to Monday’s town council’s Events Committee said: “A drastically different event is proposed to take place in 2020 to allow Knutsford families an opportunity to enjoy a safe Halloween event while maintaining social distancing and discouraging attendees from further afield to limit the spread of coronavirus.”

The event has traditionally taken place on October 31, which this year falls on a Saturday, which is expected to draw an even larger crowd than previous years.

As a result it is proposed the event does not take place just on October 31, but is spread across the previous week to allow families to enjoy the event at their own leisure while maintaining social distancing.

Participating businesses would install their displays and pumpkins in their shop windows from October 26 to allow families to visit the town centre during that week.

It is proposed there are no road closures as this would encourage gatherings, and none of the usual on-street entertainment would be planned for the Saturday.

While the main businesses that participate ‘hosting’ pumpkins in their windows are usually located on King Street, Minshull Street and Regent Street with King Street and Minshull Street being closed for the event, it is proposed the pumpkins could be spread out to include Princess Street, which would allow more town centre businesses to get involved while discouraging crowding on King Street.

Cllr Elizabeth Beswick said spreading the event over a week was a good idea.

Cllr Mike Houghton said: “It seems a very sensible compromise in terms of supporting the businesses by encouraging a degree of incremental footfall to the town but not threatening social distancing or encouraging mass gatherings.”

Cllr Andrew Malloy encouraged people attending the event to visit during the week to help keep everyone as safe as possible.