Spooky Trail, trunk-or-treats planned for Halloween
Fall is just around the corner – and so is Halloween. The City of Long Beach, along with local churches and organizations, are hosting several family-friendly, safe events for kids.
On Friday, October 27, the Spooky Halloween Trail will be open for kids and their families from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Long Beach Fitness Trail, located right across from the Long Beach Senior Center at 20257 Daugherty Road. It’s a free community event that will be filled with tricks, treats and plenty of space for kids to gather and show off their Halloween costumes. Adults are also encouraged to dress up.
Also on October 27, the University of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Park will host a trunk-or-treat and a family movie showing. The free event, Cinema Under the Oaks, will begin with a trunk-or-treat, games and concessions at 6 p.m., and a viewing of the movie Hocus Pocus at dusk. The movie showing is free.
Residents are encouraged to wear their costumes and bring blankets and chairs. No alcohol or tobacco is allowed. Free light up bracelets will be given away. The event will be held on Lloyd Lawn by the Friendship Oak on USM’s Gulf Park Campus at 730 East Beach Boulevard, and, in the event of rain, the event will be relocated to the FEC Auditorium. All proceeds will benefit USM student organizations.
On Sunday, October 29, First Baptist Church of Long Beach will be hosting their annual Trunk or Treat event at the Harper McCaughan Town Green, located at 301 Jeff Davis Avenue in downtown Long Beach. The church invites all families to join in the free event, which this year has a theme of “Let Your Light Shine.”
Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m., and will include games, free food, fellowship and lots of candy.
“This is our sixth year we have been able to reach out to our community in such a fun way,” said First Baptist Minister of Education Brenda Davis. “We enjoy visiting and meeting new people each year. The support that we have received for Trunk or Treat has been phenomenal, and the attendance has doubled over the past several years. We really enjoy the positive feedback from the community. It has been very rewarding and such a blessing to see so many families coming together in one place.
“Our goal is to share the hope and love of Jesus with the Long Beach community,” continued Davis. “So, come and …discover how connecting people with Jesus shines a bright light on our world. Come as you are, or wear your favorite costume to this free event.
The event will begin at 5:30 and conclude at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 228-864-2584. 
