Popular Halloween household chooses safety

by TERRAN S. YOUNG • STAFF WRITER
This was the Meades’ Halloween 2019 display. Each year, hundreds of people flock to see it and get some treats.  KED MEADE PHOTO
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Ked Meade and his wife Miranda will not be hosting trick-or-treaters this year.
“Meade Manor,” as Meade refers to his home, is known in Big Stone Gap for being quite the spectacle during Halloween. The yard is done up with skeletons, ghosts and zombies, strange things can be seen in the windows and a witch may greet trick-or-treaters at the door — but not this year.
“You flip a quarter and you’re either fine or you die,” said Meade during a phone conversation.

He wasn’t talking about survival chances when encountering the supernatural. Meade was speaking about COVID-19.

“We just want everybody to be safe,” said Meade, citing the coronavirus as the reason for the cancellation.

Meade informed his friends of the decision via Facebook on Oct. 1, writing, “Unfortunately, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce that we will not be decorating for the 2020 Halloween season.”

During the phone conversation, Meade stated that the announcement was met with a range of reactions, from people being understanding to showing anger.

“I had a woman drive up and flip me off,” he said. “We have had some people directly message us saying that we are letting the government control us. But most are regretful and understanding.”

Meade explained that last Halloween, more than 3,000 children came to his house and nearly 90 gallons of candy were given out. That 3,000 does not include parents and chaperones. “We get people from North Carolina, Kingsport, Tennessee and Kentucky,” said Meade. “People from all over come and hang out, so I was worried about that diversity. There is such a mix. I can’t take that chance.”

He continued: “It’s just an ocean of bodies as far as you can see. I can’t be out there to make sure that everyone is wearing a mask.”

Meade is also concerned for his mother, who dresses up and gives out candy. “She is a two-time cancer survivor,” he stated.

He mentioned that his mother has a few other ailments that place her in the “high risk” category. “I’m her primary caregiver,” he explained.

Along with no candy, there will be no decorations. “It gets as much attention as anything else,” Meade said of his house. “We usually get 200 to 300 people drive by in a weekend. We put up a rope and signs, but people come in the yard anyway.”

Self-proclaimed as “Halloween’s biggest fan,” Meade is as disappointed as anyone.

“We do it for the kids, and for the town,” he said. “We do it because people love it and that’s our reward. But I can’t take that that would do harm. Once there is a vaccine, we plan on coming back bigger and better.”