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Ghoulish Good Times Ahead on Alabama's Beaches
10/20/2009
GULF SHORES and ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Ghoulish good times are ahead on Pleasure Island as the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area gears up with numerous Halloween events for all members of the family. Be sure to check out these events for little ones, adults and even pets.
Little Goblins
On Thursday, October 22nd, gather the little ghosts and goblins for an evening of family fun during Boo at the Zoo at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Tickets to the Halloween carnival are $1.00 per adult and $2.00 per child (ages 2 and under FREE), which includes face painting and all of the kid-friendly games, such as tic-tac-toe, pumpkin bowling, pin the wart on the witch and pass the pumpkin. The fun begins at 4:00 p.m. Admission also includes the costume contest that starts at 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.org, or call 968-5731.
LuLu’s at Homeport Marina presents its 3rd Annual BooLu’s Haunted House, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 23rd and 24th and again the following weekend on October 30th and 31st. Thanks to the hard work of local students, proceeds from this event will benefit the art departments of the Baldwin County School System. A $5.00 donation per adult is kindly requested. For more information, visit www.lulubuffett.com, or call 967-LULU.
Parents of children ages 3 to 9 years old will want to pay close attention to the Baldwin County Heritage Museum’s Pumpkin Patch, which is designed specifically for this younger age group and will not include loud noises, eerie boos or scary screams. For $4.00 per child, little ones will select a pumpkin and then decorate it for contest that is slated for October 25th at 2:00 p.m. There is also a cake walk in the potato shed and a hay maze. Prizes include gift certificates to area merchants, family tickets to the Odyssey, Shipwreck! Treasures from the S.S. Republic and more. Limited numbers of volunteers make reservations and a minimum group size of 10 a must for a trip to the Pumpkin Patch or a class of Art Lessons. This event is going on now and will end on October 25th. For more information, visit www.baldwincountyheritagemuseum.com, or call 986-8375.
Meanwhile children and adults can meander through the Scream For The Arts Haunted House at The Wharf, which will be held October 23rd – 25th and the following weekend of October 30th and 31st. Spooky Family Fun (for all ages) will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. followed by Spine Tingling Scary from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (not for small children). Admission is $4.00, and tickets may be purchased at the Ferris wheel ticket office. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Fine Arts programs at Gulf Shores High School. For more information, visit www.thewharfal.com.
Then, the Orange Beach Art Center will host its 1st Annual Scarecrow Building Contest, beginning at 4:00 p.m. on October 24th. To reserve your free scarecrow building kit, call the art center at 981-2787 by October 16th. After this contest, individuals will want to stick around for the Hot Glass/Cold Drinks Spooky Style. Artists of The Hot Shop (which is Alabama’s only public access glass studio) have created glass pumpkins, ghosts and drinking glasses. With a $20 donation, you receive a one-of-a-kind drinking glass and complimentary beverages. A $3 hot dog dinner will be available throughout the events. For more information, visit www.orangebeachartcenter.com.
Also, make plans to attend the 2nd Annual Haunted Trail at Kid's Park, which is set for 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 24th at the Gulf Shores Kid’s Park. Proceeds from the $1.00 donation will benefit the Gulf Shores Swim Team Scoreboard Fund. For more information, visit www.cityofgulfshores.org.
Orange Beach will host its Haunted Hayride on October 30th. Kiddie rides start at 6:00 p.m. while haunted rides begin at 7:30 p.m. All rides will start at Orange Beach City Hall and cost $7.00 per ride or $10.00 for 2 rides. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Backcountry Trail. For more information, visit www.cityoforangebeach.com.
Other local events that are going on now include the Maizing Family Fun Farm that ends on October 31st (747-1368 or www.elbertacornmaze.com) and the 5th Annual Halloween Pumpkin Patch Express and Ghoul Family Night Train that ends on October 30th (www.waleswest.com).
Finally, the National Naval Aviation Museum will host its 11th Annual Halloween Celebration on October 31st from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, call 850-452-3604 or visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org.
Grown-up Ghosts
After the little goblins have turned in for the night, the grown-ups can party at the following events on Pleasure Island – all of which will be held on October 31st.
Win a ghost haunting trip or the costume contest during the Halloween with Bon Secour Ghost Busters at Pelican Place, which is set for 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.thepelicanplace.com.
Country artist Pat Green will be in concert at The Wharf’s Music Hall (a.k.a. Conference Center) on Halloween. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. For more information and ticket pricing, visit www.thewharfal.com.
Also, Rafter’s Restaurant and Sports Bar will host The Wharf’s Official Halloween and Costume Contest, which begins at 7:00 p.m. Check out Rafter’s Insane Asylum, and hang around for the costume contest at midnight. For more information, visit www.rafterssportsbar.com.
Patrons at The Wharf can continue the party atmosphere by visiting the 1st Annual Halloween Costume Contest at Shucker’s Oyster Bar. Register by 10:00 p.m. for the midnight costume contest, and rock to the tunes of the Jay Williams Band. There is a $10.00 cover charge. For more information, visit www.thewharfal.com.
Or end the evening with at Halloween Costume Party at Pirates Cove. The party begins at 7:00 p.m. and the best or most original costume will win a $100.00 Cove Card. For more information, visit www.piratescoveriffraff.com.
Howlin’ Good Times
Even the family’s four-legged members can get in on the Halloween fun with these pet-orientated events.
On October 24th, Magnolia Clinic welcomes pets where their best costumes for its Halloween Party and Pet Parade. Registration for the costume contest begins at 10:00 a.m. with judging at 11:00 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in several categories so put your best paw forward. For more information, call the clinic at 968-7523.
Then on October 31st, The Wharf will roll out the red carpet for the 2nd Annual Howl-o-ween Spooky Pooch Parade and Costume Contest. Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. for the best trick and costume contests. Both are free to participate. Other event highlights include “pre-furred” vendor booths next to the Ferris wheel for pet psychic readings, reflexology, sitting, groomers, training and pet portraits and pet food. Raffle tickets for the coveted vendor prizes are $3.00 (or 2 for $5.00), and all proceeds will benefit the Baldwin Animal Rescue Center (BARC), which will be on hand for a pet adoption. Also, the Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue and Emerald Coast Golden Retriever Rescue will be present. For more information, visit www.baldwinhumane.org.
To learn more about these or other events on Alabama’s Beaches, visit www.orangebeach.com or www.gulfshores.com.
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