Dear Editor:

In the time warp that is 2024, we’re heading straight into the spookiest time of year – Halloween!  As the leaves fall and the air cools, it’s time to remind everyone of the Southport Island Association’s fourth annual A Very Southport Halloween – and there are some exciting updates this year.

The biggest change being that the community party is moving back to its roots at the Southport Town Hall, 361 Hendricks Hill Road. While we’re grateful for the fun Robinson’s Wharf provided for the past few years, we’re confident this year will be just as spirited! Starting at 5 p.m., the Hall will be packed with decorations, music, games, and by popular demand, the return of the Great Chili Cook-Off. At 6, we’ll be making use of the stage and having a costume fashion show for those interested in vying for a prize.

Rekindling this Halloween celebration was done in part to try and revive the beloved tradition of door-to-door trick-or-treating as a means of bringing together the community.  Recognizing that it’s not feasible for all families, this year an enhanced Trunk-or-Treat is being introduced, providing a trick-or-treat experience that can be done (on foot) right from the party. For those unfamiliar, trunk-or-treating involves decorating the trunks of cars, which then serve as candy stations for a safe, fun, and convenient environment–it’s trick-or-treating, with a twist. To make this event the fun success we know it can be, community participation is needed.  If you’re feeling creative (or just love handing out candy and seeing costumes), sign-ups are open until Oct. 30. You can register through the links shared on Southport Island Association’s Facebook page or by emailing southporthalloween@gmail.com. The same applies for the chili cook-off – we know there are some talented cooks out there!

A love for the spooky season inspires the fun for these events, but the true drive is to foster community spirit.  If you have any questions or concerns about joining the fun, please don’t hesitate to reach out.   The goal is to involve all generations that make up the wonderful fabric of our region, from the littlest ghouls to the oldest goblins.

Ashlea Tibbetts

Southport