By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Families dressed in their finest costumes wrapped around Pelham City Park to close out the 2024 Music in the Park concert series with Fall-O-Ween on Sunday, Oct. 20.

According to Pelham’s Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Alicia Walters, this year’s Fall-O-Ween marked the combination of two separate events into one day of festivities.

“Last year was our first year having a fall fun day—which was very much focused on our kids—and then we did Music in the Park,” Walters said. “So this year, we’ve added the two together.”

Music in the Park is an annual free concert series hosted by Pelham for the community to enjoy. The event began in October of 2020 as a way for people to enjoy live music while maintaining social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had great support from the community and have continued to offer this musical series every fall season,” Walters said. “This event has become one of the community’s favorites, and they look forward to it every year.”

Music in the Park started on Sunday, Oct. 6 with the OPOV band and continued on Oct. 13 when The Negotiators graced the stage with a mix of rock, Motown, soul and funk.

For this year’s final installment of Music in the Park, Pelham decided to combine the concert with the fall festival under the name Fall-O-Ween to generate a day full of music and memories.

Fall-O-Ween featured kid’s events from 1:30-4 p.m. and performances from The Gore Brothers and the Black Sedan Band from 4-6 p.m.

From face painting, to balloon art, to bungee jumping, there was no shortage of entertainment throughout the day as children ran from one booth to another. In addition to bounce houses, crafts and knockerball, the Pelham Public Library also hosted several mini carnival games for smaller kids.

Walters shared that the activities drew a very large crowd to the park to enjoy the day.

“The crowd is amazing,” Walters said. “Much more than we anticipated, but Pelham does not surprise us. They don’t disappoint us. They come out.”

And while there was plenty to do, one event in particular stole the show: The Trick or Treat Walk. Several Pelham businesses and community groups formed a line of tents, each offering candy and goodies for passing trick or treaters. Families lined up expectantly with empty bags ready to embark and claim their prizes.

“We are very appreciative of our (Trick or Treat) vendors,” Walters said. “You can see our line has been basically wrapping around the entire park all day long.”

Walters claimed that the large crowd at Fall-O-Ween is a testament to the engagement of the Pelham community and that she was delighted to see so many people in attendance.

“I love filling the park up,” Walters said. “I love seeing the kiddos dressed up, smiling, having a good time. I’m just really thankful that Pelham is so supportive. The city loves serving (the community), and at Parks and Rec, we love serving them. I just love that they’re here and just enjoying the day.”

Next year, Parks and Rec hopes to make Fall-O-Ween even bigger and better.

“We hope to grow and add a little bit more next year, fill a little bit more of the park up which is exactly what we want to do,” Walters said.

Those interested in learning more about Pelham events can visit Pelhamalabama.gov/902/Parks-Recreation.