By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Alabama Wildlife Center will give locals a chance to get into the Halloween spirit while also helping out injured birds on Oct. 26.

The Wildlife Center will hold its annual Owl-O-Ween event on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the center, which is at 100 Terrace Drive in Pelham’s Oak Mountain State Park.

Owl-O-Ween will be free after admission to OMSP, which is $3 for adults and $1 for children 6-11 and adults 62 and older. Children younger than 6 are free.

During the event, visitors will get a chance to learn about local owls and their importance in maintaining a healthy ecosystem in Alabama. In addition to owls in the care of the Wildlife Center, owls from other local wildlife organizations also will be at the event.

Throughout the event, visitors will be able to take part in owl-related games activities, such as decorating barn owl cookies and conducting other craft projects.

The Wildlife Center will hold a story time from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. featuring the book “The Owl Who was Afraid of the Dark.”

From noon-1:15 p.m., the center will hold a birds of prey presentation featuring a live owl.

Those interested in volunteering to help injured and orphaned birds at the Wildlife Center will be able to gather more information during the event. The Wildlife Center offers shopping wish lists for birds in need and volunteer opportunities to help birds being cared for at the center.

Owl-O-Ween attendees also will be able to make donations to the center and become Wildlife Center members if they wish.