October is here, and Halloween happenings abound. All things orange and black are filling the stores and decorating front porches. Charleston in general and the Isle of Palms in particular are a great place to be at this time of year. Temperatures are pleasantly warm but not hot during the day, while nights have a nice coolness to them. The beaches are beautiful and not as crowded as peak summer months. You can get some great deals on vacation rentals, well discounted off peak summer rates. The Isle of Palms is a terrific vacation destination, but it’s also a wonderful place to live year-round. It’s quite community-minded, with events on holidays and throughout the year. They’re open to residents and visitors alike. Many are centered at the Rec Center, located more or less in the middle of the island. You don’t have to wait until the end of the month to enjoy Halloween happenings on or near the Isle of Palms. They’re going on all month long.
Halloween happenings on/near the IOP...
Ghostly Tide Tales
First up is a fun annual event sponsored by the City of Isle of Palms and the IOP Rec Department. It’s spooky stories told around a campfire, right on the beach. Ghostly Tide Tales is described as an eerie but family-friendly telling of ghost stories that are related to the Lowcountry. Talented storytellers and members of Crabpot Players will regale the crowd with tales that are just scary enough to keep you alert. You’re encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, along with a flashlight and a friend or two, and stake out a spot around the fire barrels. It will take place on Friday, October 23rd, 2020, starting at 6:00 p.m. at Front Beach. You can enter at the IOP beach access next to the Sea Cabins. The fun will last about an hour. It’s a free event that’s open to all ages, and no registration is required. There’s parking available nearby in Municipal Lot B on Pavilion Drive. Call (843) 886-8294 for more information.
Sunrise Trunk or Treat
Sunrise Church is located just over the Breach Inlet from Isle of Palms, on Sullivan’s Island. Every year they host a popular event that offers plenty treats of Halloween in one safe place. It’s Sunrise Church Trunk or Treat. You’re encouraged to dress up the kids, pile in the car or golf cart, and head on over. It’ll take place in Saturday, October 24th, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. You can make a whole wholesome Halloween weekend of it. Listen to Ghostly Tide Tales Friday night, then Trunk or Treat the following afternoon! They’ll have directional arrows and signage laying out the route to go, as you travel from trunk to trunk. Organizers will individually wrap treats and/or trinkets so they're ready to go in goodie bags for the kids. They’ll place them on tables next to each car trunk for stress-free pickup. One family at a time will be at each car. Sunrise is located at 3222 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island. The event is absolutely free, and no registration is necessary. All ages are welcome. You can reach Sunrise at (843) 883-3888 for more details.
Halloween Golf Cart Parade & Drive-Thru Haunted House at the Rec
This is the Isle of Palms’ main Halloween celebration, and it takes place on the day itself - Saturday, October 31st, 2020, at the IOP’s Rec Center. They’ve redesigned this from years past, and it looks to be a lot of fun. First up, they’re hosting a Halloween Costume Golf Cart Parade. Organizers will award prizes for the top three best decorated golf carts. Golf cart decorating around these parts can get pretty over-the-top, especially on holidays like July 4th and Christmas. So this Halloween Costume Golf Cart Parade should be worth checking out, whether you are taking part or just spectating. Golf carts will line up at 3:30 p.m. on 27th Avenue, near the Rec Center. The parade will begin at 4:00 p.m. sharp. Here’s the route: 27th Avenue toward Hartnett Boulevard, right on Hartnett, then right on 22nd Avenue, right on Waterway Boulevard, right on 29th Avenue, right on Hartnett, and then right on 28th. All golf carts must register in advance by October 28th in order to take part. A drive-thru haunted house awaits at the end of the parade route, along with food trucks for those who want a bite. There will also be trick-or-treat goodie bags for all the kids. There’s no charge to take part. Call (843) 886-8294 for more info.
Haunted Trail at the Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium is hosting a special new Haunted Trail for Halloween. Come and “get your fill of gills, chills and thrills!” Once you’re inside the Aquarium, make your way through eight different eerily themed rooms. Spooky surprises, creepy crawling things and macabre mysteries await you all along the way. If you’d like to take things to the next level, check out the Scare Control Sensors. Special bright LED lights mark them. Just wave your hand in front of the sensors for an extra scary thrill. Minimum age is eight years old, and kids under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The Haunted Trail takes place every day in October. Regular admission to the SC Aquarium covers the Haunted Trail, too. The Aquarium is open seven days a week, Mondays through Sundays from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. and is located at 100 Aquarium Wharf in downtown Charleston. Ring them at (843) 720-1990 for more info.
Fright Nights at Boone Hall
Boone Hall Plantation is again hosting its annual Fright Nights, on Friday and Saturday nights in October until Halloween. These are pretty scary. It's best if kids under the age of 12, and people who don’t like to be frightened sit this one out. There are three different attractions this year: Maximum Security, Tiny’s Toy Factory and Scary Tales: The Final Chapter. Admission varies depending on the number of attractions you attend. You access Fright Nights at Boone Hall along Highway 17 North in Mount Pleasant, about a half mile north of Long Point Road. Call (843) 884-4371 or check their website for more details. Happy Halloween, stay safe, and enjoy some of the many Halloween happenings around the Lowcountry. And give us a call at EP if you’d like to make one of our Isle of Palms vacation rentals your Halloween home base. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger