By Kara Hallissey, Staff Writer
(Oct. 26, 2017) Halloween is almost here and there are a number of activities this weekend in Ocean City and surrounding towns to celebrate the spookiest of holidays.
Ocean City:
– Ocean City Recreation and Parks will host its annual Halloween Spook-Out Party on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 1-3 p.m. inside the Northside Park gym on 125th Street.
Activities include carnival games, arts and crafts, hayrides and costume contests. Complimentary snacks will be available, and prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Participants of all ages are welcome, including parents.
No preregistration required. The entrance fee is one bag of individually wrapped candy per child.
For more information, visit www.oceancitymd.gov or contact Ocean City Recreation and Parks at 410-250-0125.
– Experience the thrills and chills of the third annual Haunted Library at the Ocean City Library on 100th Street. The meeting room will be transformed into a ghostly labyrinth and the first 30 escapees will receive a free book. It will take place Thursday and Friday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call 410-524-1818.
West Ocean City:
– Celebrating 30 years, children can enjoy trick-or-treating at the White Marlin Mall in West Ocean City on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 4-6 p.m.
“Children must be in costume when they visit the merchants who are participating in the trick-or-treat promotion on Oct. 31 to receive a small token of appreciation from participating merchants,” said Matt Mittenthal, vice president and assistant director of asset management at Greenberg Gibbons Commercial, the mall’s leasing and property management firm. “Our one important ground rule for trick-or-treating is that the treats are available only to children 12 years and younger who are in costume. It’s a good time with plenty of memorable moments for the entire family.”
Once again this year, the White Marlin Mall trick-or-treat celebration will coincide with the neighboring Tanger Outlets trick-or-treating on Oct. 31.
Visit www.whitemarlinmall.com/ events.asp for participating merchants.
– Stop by Frontier Town, on Route 611 in West Ocean City, on Saturday, Oct. 28, for the annual Spooks and Spirits weekend celebration from 7-10 p.m.
A haunted trail through the Wicked Woods of FrontFEAR Town at the Western Theme Park costs $5 per person and may not be suitable for small children.
Call 800-228-5590 for more information.
Berlin:
– Tractor Supply Company invites customers to attend a Halloween pet photography event at its Berlin store on Old Ocean City Blvd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28.
A local photographer will be on hand to take Halloween-themed photos of customers’ four-legged friends. The first 25 pets will also receive a free magnetic picture frame.
“At Tractor Supply, we understand that your pets aren’t just like family – they are family,” George Downing, manager of Berlin Tractor Supply store, said. “Our customers love their furry best friends, and we want to make sure this Halloween is one they won’t forget.”
In addition to the pet photos, customers will also have the opportunity to enjoy a bake sale.
This event is open to the public at 10452 Old Ocean City Blvd.
For more information, contact the Berlin Tractor Supply store at 410-641-0310.
– Children can trick-or-treat on Tuesday, Oct. 31 in Berlin from 5-7 p.m., with the majority of trick-or-treating on Washington Street. The Berlin Police Department will offer candy-checking starting at 6 p.m. at Berlin Town Hall on William Street. For information, call 410-641-2770.
Ocean Pines:
–The Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department will host a free Halloween Festival in White Horse Park on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 1-4 p.m.
Enjoy costume contests, carnival games, a haunted hayride, face painting, crafts, pony rides, a moon bounce and candy. Refreshments can be purchased and a few of the attractions will cost a small fee.
From 2-3 p.m., a pumpkin-carving contest will take place in White Horse Park. There is no entry fee or preregistration and pumpkins will be provided.
A new event, a Howl-o-ween Dog Costume Contest, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Dog owners are encouraged to dress pets in costumes to win prizes. There is no entry fee or preregistration.
Contact the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department at 410-641-7052 for more information.
Snow Hill:
– Children 12 and younger are invited to trick-or-treat while dressed in their favorite costumes at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill on Friday, Oct. 27, from 6-8 p.m.
The “Track or Treat” will include games for children. Trick-or-treaters are asked to bring a bag to collect goodies from local vendors. There is no admission fee, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, contact Kelly Buchanan at 410-632-2144 ext. 2503 or email kbuchanan@ co.worcester.md.us.
– Spend a spooky evening at Furnace Town Living Heritage Village in the haunted Pocomoke Forest north of Snow Hill on Friday, Oct. 27, from 8-9:30 p.m. while joining Chesapeake Ghost Tours and Delmarva Spirit Hunters during a paranormal investigation of the historical landmark.
Attendees will tour historic buildings, enter the old church, investigate the old iron furnace and walk into the secluded Pocomoke Forest looking for spirits.
Investigators will have equipment set up inside the buildings and a limited number of “ghost meters” for people to try.
The cost is $25 for an adult ticket and children 8-12 years old cost $15. For more information, call 410-632-2032 or email info@furnacetown.org.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, listen to ghost stories about Furnace Town and the Pocomoke Forest from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Old Nazareth Church for $10.
At 7 p.m., another Chesapeake Ghost Tour paranormal investigation of Furnace Town will take place until 9:30 p.m.
Purchase tickets for ghost stories at Furnace Town and the ghost hunts with Chesapeake Ghost Tours at www.chesapeakeghostwalks.com.
Pocomoke:
–The Mar-Va Theater in Pocomoke City will have its annual showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Friday, Oct. 27, at 10 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for the interactive movie and attendees must be 17 years or older. For information, call 410-957-4230.
– Children can trick-or-treat on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. in Pocomoke. For more information, call 410-957-0937.