Third Annual Halloween Drive-Thru planned on Oct. 29 at Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office’s headquarters

Event to run from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd. in Sarasota

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will hold its Third Annual Halloween Drive-Thru on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the agency’s Sarasota headquarters on Cattleridge Boulevard, the agency has announced.

“The event was created in 2020 as a safe alternative to trick-or-treating in response to concerns surrounding COVID-19,” a news release explains. “Personnel staged static displays in the agency’s headquarters parking lot, distributing an estimated 80,000 pieces of candy to more than 1,100 attendees. The event was held again in 2021 and is being held for the third year in a row following its overwhelming success,” the release adds.

The Halloween Drive-Thru will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd., the release notes. “Attendees will be directed to enter Cattleridge Boulevard between the Arby’s restaurant and BP convenience store before heading north toward the event,” the release says. “To streamline traffic flow, drivers will enter the north parking lot in two lanes and follow instructions from personnel on where to go. Because this is a drive-thru event, there will be no on-site parking, and all attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles,” the release points out.

“While this event originated as a result of the pandemic, it has grown so big and successful that community members and agency personnel alike have made this an annual event,” Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman said in the release. “There are a few things that make this event worthwhile,” he continued in the release: “First, it’s easy for parents who don’t have to get their kids unbuckled and out of the car. Second, it’s quick and allows kids to still get in bed at a decent time. Third and most importantly, it allows the Sheriff’s Office to connect with our community which is one of the best parts of our job.”

For more information about the event, connect with the Sheriff’s Office on social media or contact the Community Affairs Office at 941-861-4005, the release adds.