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Halloween postponed for weather in Avery County

AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — Trick-or-treating for Halloween has been pushed back to Friday because of heavy snow in Avery County.

Avery County schools are on a two-hour delay Thursday.

Officials are concerned about cold weather and snow on the secondary roads.

The big concern going into the overnight hours is some of the secondary roads refreezing because of the drop in temperatures.

For a third day in a row, people here in the mountains woke to more snow, and it is still October.

The Sugar Mountain Ski Resort is taking full advantage of the wintry blast opening the earliest ever and for the first time in the month of October. The owner said it looks more like Christmas than Halloween.

"Really making history skiing here in October, which has never ever happened at Sugar Mountain since the beginning," said owner Gunther Jochle.

Word spread quickly about the early opening, bringing hundreds of people to the high country today.

The ski resort has a big impact on the economy, hiring as many as 500 workers at the height of the ski season. Richard Means made the drive from Charlotte on Wednesday.

"It is awesome. We love it.  I've been waiting for it all year, and it's great man.  It is great," Means said.

For a third time this week, school was cancelled in Avery County on Wednesday, but the decision that got the most attention from students was postponing Halloween.

"It is kind of weird to have it in November not October,” said a parent.

Parents said they support the superintendent's decision because of the cold weather and slick side roads.

"It will be a lot better on Friday. I think it is supposed to really clear up,” said mother Liz Hudson.

"I think it is better for the kids not to have to walk in the snow,” said mother Sarah Greene.