Halloween just around the corner

Even before the big night of trick-or-treating arrives, there will lots to do for all the ghosts, goblins and Gulf Coast ghoulies.
Lulu's, a Gulf Shores eatery popular with locals and visitors alike, partners with Baldwin County Schools' for the second annual BooLu's Haunted House. The proceeds from the event benefit the art department for the school system.
For younger spooks and sprites, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo presents Boo at the Zoo 2008 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The Web site, www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.org/, states, "Tickets to the Halloween carnival are $2 per child and $1 per adult, which includes face painting and all of the kid-friendly games, such as tic-tac-toe, pumpkin bowling, pin the wart on the witch and pass the pumpkin. Admission also includes the costume contest that starts at 6 p.m."
That takes care of children and adults, but what about those other family members, the pets? Relax -- and break out the mini costumes. Saturday, the pooches can go to the Wharf's Howl-o-ween Doggie Parade and Costume Contest. There's just enough time to make it from there to downtown Gulf Shores for the first-ever Boneyard Bash. So as Halloween draws near, remember: There will be haunted hay rides, haunted hot-air balloon rides, haunted houses, haunted mazes -- if you can think of it, chances are, someone has haunted it.