The Wharf Trunk or Treat Brings Free Halloween Night to Orange Beach Oct. 28

Families looking for a safe, festive way to celebrate Halloween in south Baldwin County can mark their calendars for Wednesday, Oct. 28, when The Island Church hosts a free Trunk or Treat at The Wharf in Orange Beach. The evening will fill Main Street and the Portside area with candy, kids’ activities, music, an outdoor movie and a laser light show, giving children a chance to show off their costumes a few days before Halloween itself.

Admission and parking are free. Some of the individual activities will carry a cost, so parents may want to plan ahead if their children have their hearts set on particular attractions. Organizers are encouraging families to dress in their Halloween best and make a night of it.

A full evening, from 5 p.m. to the final light show

The event is built as a progression, with something new happening roughly every hour. Kids’ activities open at 5 p.m., the Trunk or Treat itself begins at 6 p.m., a family movie starts at 7 p.m., and two laser light shows close the night at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Here is the complete schedule:

• 5 p.m. — Kids’ activities begin
• 6 p.m. — Trunk or Treat
• 7 p.m. — Monsters University screens at Portside
• 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. — SPECTRA Laser Light Show

Because the program runs for several hours, families can choose how much of it fits their schedule. Parents of toddlers might come early for the activities and candy and head home before dark, while older children may want to stay through the movie and catch one of the two light shows.

Kids’ activities: climbing, bouncing and a reptile bus

The early part of the evening is geared toward hands-on fun. The lineup of kids’ activities includes:

• A rock climbing wall
• A bounce house
• A mechanical bull
• A face painter
• The reptile bus
• Pony rides

Since some activities will have a fee, it may help to bring a small amount of cash or a card and to talk with children ahead of time about which attractions they most want to try. Lines for popular activities such as face painting and pony rides tend to build quickly at family events, so arriving close to 5 p.m. can make for a smoother evening.

Trunk or Treat on Main Street

The centerpiece of the night begins at 6 p.m. A Trunk or Treat gathers decorated vehicles in one place, with candy handed out from open trunks and tailgates, so children can collect treats in a compact, well-lit and walkable area rather than going door to door through neighborhoods.

The format has become a fixture of the Halloween season in many communities, particularly among churches, schools and civic groups. Parents often appreciate that it keeps children in a single, supervised setting and away from busy streets after dark.

The Island Church will have candy bags on hand for anyone who forgets to bring one, so no child should be left without a way to carry treats. DJ Matt will be playing spooky tunes on Main Street throughout the night, adding a soundtrack to the costume parade.

Movie night at Portside

At 7 p.m., the focus shifts to Portside, where the animated film Monsters University will be shown. The Disney-Pixar prequel to Monsters, Inc. follows Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan during their college days, and its friendly monsters make it a natural fit for a Halloween crowd that includes younger children who might not enjoy anything truly scary.

Families planning to stay for the movie may want to bring blankets or portable chairs, as outdoor screenings are generally more comfortable with a place to sit. It is a good idea to check with The Wharf ahead of time about any rules for seating at Portside.

SPECTRA Laser Light Show closes the night

The evening wraps up with the SPECTRA Laser Light Show, which will light up the sky over The Wharf at 8 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m. With two showings, families who are still finishing the movie or grabbing a late snack have a second chance to catch it.

About The Wharf

The Wharf, located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Orange Beach, has grown into one of the Alabama Gulf Coast’s best-known gathering places. Its Main Street area is lined with shops and restaurants, and the complex is home to a marina, an amphitheater and its landmark Ferris wheel. The open, pedestrian-friendly layout lends itself to large community events like this one.

Holding the Trunk or Treat there gives families an easy place to park, plenty of room to spread out and the option of grabbing dinner nearby before or after the festivities.

Halloween safety tips for families

Even at an organized event, a few common-sense precautions can help keep the night fun for everyone. Standard Halloween safety guidance from national health and safety organizations includes:

• Choose visible costumes. Bright colors or reflective tape help children stand out after dark, and a small flashlight or glow stick is useful once the sun goes down.
• Make sure costumes fit. Costumes that are too long can cause trips and falls. Face paint is often a safer choice than masks that block vision.
• Agree on a meeting spot. In a crowd, pick an easy-to-find landmark where everyone will meet if the group gets separated, and make sure young children know a parent’s phone number.
• Check treats before eating. Parents should look over candy before children dig in, setting aside anything unwrapped or that may contain allergens.
• Watch for traffic. Use crosswalks and stay alert in parking areas, where drivers may have trouble spotting small children in dark costumes.

Plan your visit

The Trunk or Treat is open to the public and does not require tickets for general admission. Here is a quick summary for families making plans:

• What: Trunk or Treat presented by The Island Church
• When: Wednesday, Oct. 28; kids’ activities at 5 p.m., Trunk or Treat at 6 p.m.
• Where: Main Street and Portside at The Wharf, Orange Beach
• Cost: Free admission and free parking; some activities have a fee
• Bring: Costumes, a candy bag (extras available from The Island Church), and blankets or chairs for the movie

For Orange Beach and Gulf Shores families, the midweek date offers a chance to enjoy Halloween festivities without competing with the busier weekend schedule closer to the holiday. With free entry, a full slate of activities and a movie and light show to cap off the night, the event is shaping up to be one of the area’s most complete family Halloween outings this season.