By Greg Ellison

(Oct. 8, 2020) Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks will blend virtual activities with real time events to spice up the Halloween season for residents and their children.

Recreation Supervisor Brittany Jarman said department staff brewed up fresh spins on old ideas to keep youthful spirits engaged, highlighted by the Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 30 in White Horse Park starting at 5:30 p.m.

“It gives the kids of Ocean Pines something to do and we’re doing it the night before Halloween.”

Jarman said the new offering would also help to fill the void left by the cancellation of this year’s Fall Festival.

“Our Fall Festival attracts so many people to a small area,” she said. “We’ll still have our Fall Festival probably starting again next year, but I wanted to add a Trunk or Treat either way because there is no trick or treating in Ocean Pines.”

To fill the time leading up to Trunk or Treat, families can join in virtual pumpkin carving and Halloween costume contests.

Photos of costumed kids can be emailed to Recreation Supervisor Katie Goetzinger at kgoetzinger@oceanpines.org. Pictures of pumpkin handiwork should be emailed to bjarman@oceanpines.org, with both due by Oct. 25.

“We’re going to post all of the stuff up on a Facebook page album and people can vote for their favorite one by ‘liking’ the photo,” she said.

Jarman said votes for both costume and pumpkin entries could be cast from Oct. 26 through Oct. 30 at noon. Winners will be unveiled just prior to the Trunk or Treat celebration.

To avoid having all the fun finished before Oct. 31, families can return to White Horse Park on Halloween morning for a creative holiday venture.

“We also have a ‘Build Your Own Scarecrow’ contest on Halloween morning from 10 a.m. to noon,” she said.

The cost per family is $8, which covers foundational materials, while fashion touches are left to individual imaginations.

“We provide the hay and they can bring their accessories and clothing,” she said.

Jarman said to confirm adequate bale counts, participants should pre-register by Oct. 28 by calling 410-641-7052.

“So we make sure we have enough hay,” she said.

The winning scarecrow will be selected at the end of the event with a bag chock full of autumn goodies awarded to the design team.

Jarman said spookily decked out vehicles are still being sought to take part in Trunk or Treat.

“Anybody that’s interested in decorating their car and passing out candy,” she said.

Jarman said all tree-covered sections of White Horse Park would be available for vehicles to fright and delight.

“Right now we have about 12 people that are interested so we’re definitely looking for more,” she said. “We’re accepting businesses or individuals.”

Jarman said to minimize direct interactions, children can collect treats from Halloween-themed car trunks or truck beds.

“Sometimes the candy might not be in the trunk, they might have it on the ground in front,” she said. “Whoever decorates their trunk, they do get to stay and dress up in a costume.”

To join the vehicle line up for Trunk or Treat email bjarman@oceanpines.org.