WAREHAM EVENTS FIELD GUIDE
Costumes, Calm Water, and Community: Wareham’s Halloween Paddle Parade Around Wickets Island
A free, family-friendly guided paddle hosted by the Buzzards Bay Coalition that asks paddlers to pre-register and brings a parade of costumed kayaks and boards around Wickets Island.
Costumes, Calm Water, and Community: Wareham’s Halloween Paddle Parade Around Wickets Island.
Each October the Onset Bay Center hosts a community paddle that threads through the sheltered water around Wickets Island, inviting families and small crews to don costumes and float a short guided circuit. The Halloween Paddle Parade is free, family-oriented and run by Onset Bay Center staff; space is limited and those who wish to borrow Buzzards Bay Coalition equipment must pre-register to secure a craft.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A short, guided circumnavigation of Wickets Island
Paddlers launch from the Onset Beach area at the Onset Bay Center and follow staff and safety boats on a loop around Wickets Island—an approachable coastal circuit meant for community participation rather than instruction.
Free, family-friendly, costume-focused
The event is framed as a community parade: families and individuals are encouraged to wear creative or spooky costumes, spectators can watch from the beach or pier, and children must remain with an adult throughout the outing.
Bring your own craft or pre-register for limited OBC equipment
Participants may paddle their own board or kayak or reserve one of the limited kayaks, paddleboards and larger craft offered by the Onset Bay Center; PFDs are required on the water and OBC PFDs are available for anyone who needs one.
What the day feels like
What the paddle feels like
The parade unfolds as a relaxed, supervised procession—check-in and a brief safety talk lead into a beach launch, staff and safety boats set the pace, and the group makes a single loop around Wickets Island before returning to the beach within roughly an hour. Expect a short, social outing focused on fun and safety rather than technical instruction.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this event suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring your own paddle craft and paddle if you have one; if you need a kayak, paddleboard or PFD, pre-register to reserve OBC equipment—kayaks and paddleboards are limited. PFDs are required on the water; OBC PFDs are available for those who need them.
Options range from single sit-on-top kayaks and single paddleboards to double kayaks, canoes and giant paddleboards for groups; pre-registration is required to use OBC equipment due to limited inventory.
Wear a properly fitted PFD at all times while on the water and follow the directions of Onset Bay Center staff and safety boats during the guided loop.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Is there a cost to participate?
No—this is a free community event.
Do I need to register?
Yes—space is limited and pre-registration is required, especially if you plan to borrow OBC equipment.
Can I use gear provided by the Onset Bay Center?
Yes—kayaks, paddleboards and PFDs are available to borrow, but craft are limited and must be reserved at registration.
Is this a lesson?
No—this is a guided event, not a lesson; participants should be comfortable on the craft they are using.
What safety rules apply?
PFDs are required to be worn at all times on the water; OBC staff and safety boats lead the parade and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Can spectators watch?
Yes—spectators are welcome to stay on the beach or pier to watch the paddlers.