FOLEY, Alabama – The city of Foley celebrated its annual Uptown Halloween Party Thursday evening for an early Halloween treat for locals with thousands of parents and their trick-or-treating children filling the streets of downtown Foley for some free entertainment.

With 4.1 million potential trick-or-treaters trekking for sweets each year nationally, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Halloween begins the holiday season every year with cooler nights, pounds of candy and creative disguises.

According to city officials, this year’s turnout might have been the biggest crowd in recent memory.

“It’s been around for many years. This year we had one of the largest crowds we’ve ever had,” special event coordinator Linda Hula said. “There were several thousand people. (Highway) 98 was absolutely packed. It was just wall-to-wall, back-to-back children and adults. Orange Avenue was almost the same. There were just children everywhere. There were at least 2,000 people or more.”

Foley has been celebrating Halloween early for well over a decade. Previously organized by uptown merchants and then the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau since 1999, the city has been organizing the event for the past three years.

This year, children and adults alike turned out to roam the streets lined with vendors and bounce houses before night fell. From hot dog costumes to scary masks, even the adults came dressed for the occasion.

The costume contest, one of the most popular features of the event, kicked off the night. Hundreds of entrants participated in the competition, emceed by local Jack Williams. Costume ideas ranged from legendary Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant to a baby Marylin Monroe.

“We had such positive, wonderful responses from all the people that we talked to. The kids were great. It was all very good,” Hula said. “Some stayed longer than others. But, we were very pleased with the whole thing.”

Other entertainment included a fortune teller, a “Spook House” sponsored by the police department, face painting by the Foley High School Art Club, balloon animals and obstacle courses.

“We brought the kids for some family time,” Foley local Jared Williams said. Williams and his wife, Robin, brought their two daughters to trick-or-treat downtown. “We all really enjoy it.”