The annual “Halloween Hike” at Oatland Island Wildlife Center (formerly ‘Oatland Island Education Center’) will be held from 4-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Halloween Hike is in its ninth year and is a very popular, fun, not-so-scary “Trick-or-Treat” event ideal for young children.  

This year the event is sponsored by The Garden Club of Savannah, The Junior League of Savannah, and AT&T The Real Yellow Pages.

Visitors will walk through a short portion of Oatland’s trail where they will meet the “Friendly Forest” critters, Mother Earth and Mother Goose. Costumed animal characters will interact with, and pass out treats. Mother Goose will also be telling stories in Oatland’s Barnyard.

Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and comfortable walking shoes. Treat bags will be provided. Food concessions and other children’s activities, such as pony rides, hay rides and face painting will be available.

Admission is $5 per child, $3 per adult. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The remainder of Oatland’s trail will be closed. For more information call (912) 898-3980 or visit Oatland’s Web site at www.oatlandisland.org.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center is a unit of the Savannah-Chatham County Schools located 5 miles east of Savannah off Islands Expressway.  It serves as a field trip site for school children to learn about natural and environmental science.

The Center encompasses a total of 175 acres of salt marsh, freshwater wetlands, and maritime forest habitats, and has a 2-mile long “Native Animal Nature Trail” where live indigenous animals may be viewed. Fund-raising events, such as the “Halloween Hike,” help offset the costs of animal care and habitat maintenance.

Oatland is open to the public daily (except holidays) from 10-4 for self-guided trail walks. Visit their Web site: www.oatlandisland.org for more information.