8 spooky, festive events for fall in Ocean City, Delaware beaches

If your family’s Halloween spirit cannot possibly be confined to Oct. 31, there are plenty of beach-area opportunities to tap into the holiday during the next month.

And if craft beer and food trucks are more your scene, there’s a place for you, too.

O.C.Toberfest

In a series of events spread over two weekends (Oct. 21-22 and 28-29), the sixth annual event with plenty of quirks makes good use of its beachside location.

There’s the Giant Halloween Beach Maze, held both weekends, which takes the haunted house to the beach. Located at North Division Street, it’s open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Other events include:

•Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade, Oct. 21, 1 p.m. Located on the Boardwalk at North Division Street, it’s free, and donations (pet supplies and money) will be collected for the Worcester County Humane Society.

•Drive & Disguise Parade plus Trunk or Treat, Oct. 21, 3 p.m. This boardwalk parade travels from 27th Street south to North Division Street. Vote for the best decorated car, with “Trunk or Treating” to follow. Free to participate.

•Big Toys on the Boardwalk, Oct. 28, noon to 2 p.m. Giant trucks, ATVs, police cruisers and more will be parked on the Boardwalk near the Amusement Pier to see, touch and climb.

•Great Pumpkin Race, Oct. 28, 1 p.m., the Boardwalk near Division Street. Registration starts at noon for this pumpkin car race, where prizes are awarded for speed and creativity.

•Shore Craft beer celebration, Sunset Park, Oct. 28, 12:30-4:30 p.m. This event with more than 30 local brews also includes food, live music and one-off beers made just for the festival. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at https://shorecraftbeer.ticketspice.com/octoberfest.

10th annual Artisan Festival

With more than 50 artists, a gourmet food court and a gigantic baked goods table, this free-admission event is a gourmand’s delight. Rain or shine.

Details: Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company, 215 Hollywood St., Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pints in Paradise/Fall Fest

The Resort at Massey's Landing's first beer festival, this event will include live music, food specials, local vendors and family activities. Tickets are $20, or $5 for non-drinkers.

It's set for Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Massey's Landing —  which has sites for tents, cottages and RVs — is also holding a number of events Oct. 21. They include:

•Halloween Campsite Decorating Contest, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

•Pumpkin Painting/Carving, 11 a.m. to noon, Activities Pavilion

•Halloween Costume Contest, 3-4 p.m.

•Halloween Golf Cart Parade, 4-5 p.m.

Details: The Resort at Massey's Landing, 20628 Long Beach Drive, Millsboro,

Boo-Que by the Sea

The third annual festival returns to the Delaware National Seashore Park.

Boo-Que features a professional barbecue competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, along with amateur and kids competitions from Oct. 20-21. There's also a 5k run and a best dressed competitor space/costume contest.

Details: Delaware Seashore State Park, Oct. 20-21.

Ocean View Police Department's 3rd Annual Cops & Goblins Halloween Festival

The festival includes a petting zoo, free Rita's Italian Ice, burgers, tacos, pizza and a costume contest for children 12 and younger.

Prizes will be awarded for best cop, goblin and overall costume.

Details: Oct. 29, 1-4 p.m., John West Park, Ocean View

28th Annual Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddlers' Festival

One of the most well-known events in the area, here are a sampling of the many activities at this fall tradition, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors:

•Tyke Bike Race on the Boardwalk. Oct. 27 from 3-4 p.m., registration starts at 2:30 p.m. Children aged 8 and younger can show off their trike and bike skills on the boardwalk. Don’t forget helmets. Donation based.

•Choo Choo Express Train Rides, Oct. 27 from 4-6 p.m., Grove Park, 501 Rehoboth Ave. For children ages 2 to 7. Donation based.

•Old Fashioned Beach Games, Oct. 28 beginning at 2 p.m. Games include: Peanut on the nose race, knee knob wobble, slippery swords and hula twist off. Participants receive ribbon. For all ages.

•2nd annual Downtown Hoedown Fundraiser, Oct. 26, from 5-8 p.m., Fire Station 86, 219 Rehoboth Ave. Fundraiser benefits Rehoboth Beach Fire Company. Tickets are $35.

•Haunted Bonfire and Graveyard, Oct. 27, 7-9 p.m., Dagsworthy Street and the Beach, Dewey Beach. Includes DJ, dancing, ghost stories, snacks and refreshments. May be canceled in inclement weather.

•Costume Parade, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. Join the Woodland String Band mummers, thousands of costumed participants, local bands, decorated cars and the Nur Shriners for the 28th Annual Sea Witch Costume Parade.  This year's parade will begin and end at Fourth Street. Rehoboth Avenue will closed at 10 a.m. and reopen after the parade at around 3 p.m. T

•Best Costumed Dog Parade, Oct. 29, 3 p.m., on the boardwalk from Henlopen Hotel to Laurel Street, where walkers exit and return to Rehoboth Avenue via First Street. Registration begins at 2 p.m. and the fee is $5 per dog. Winners announced at the bandstand at 4:30 p.m. And here’s a rule that must have an interesting story behind it: No livestock, wild animals or reptiles are permitted.

Details: Oct. 27-29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,  Rehoboth Beach. Admission is free.

Shell Shocked at Fager's Island

OK, this event isn’t for the family (21 and up only) but there are all-you-can eat oysters on the half shell and craft beer from Evolution Brewing Co.

There will also be special oyster creations from local guest chefs, barbecue ribs, chicken and more. Don't forget about the commemorative pint glass, too. 

Tickets are $49 in advance.

Details: Fager's Island Restaurant and Bar, 201 60th St., Ocean City. Nov. 4 and 11, 1-5 p.m.

Milton Zombie Fest

The Milton Theatre has expanded its fourth annual zombie walk into a three-day event. It begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 19 with “Oh The Horror!” — a showing of the cult classic “Trick’r Treat” and the finalists of the “7-Day Horror Trailer Challenge.”

Tickets are $5 for students or $10 for general admission.

On Oct. 20 at 8 p.m., the nine-member, Nashville-based Dynamo is coming to the Milton Theatre. Tickets are $15-20.

Most of the action is Oct. 21. The festival begins at noon with bands, at least five food trucks, beer tents with offerings from at least seven brewers, vendors, makeup stations and street performers. The zombie walk, open for all, begins at 8 p.m.

World-renowned mentalist and thought reader The Amazing Kreskin has shows at the Milton Theatre at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $20-30.

A wristband for the Oct. 21 festivities is $10, and tickets purchased for Dynamo, The Amazing Kreskin and Oh The Horror! also include a free wristband.

Because the event itself is funded by sponsors, proceeds will benefit The Milton Theatre, The Milton Historical Society, The Milton Fire Department and Casa San Francisco Homeless Shelter.