Locals looking for the ultimate Halloween party to strut their costumes and inner child throng the bars on the weekend of Oct. 28, 29 & 30.
Want to know where to go haunting? Sign up for our e-newsletter and will send you the hottest happenings. Until then, use this guide to start planning your boo-tiful Paradise adventures now, best read with a pumpkin pie latte in hand.
Halloween Costumes
Perhaps you’ll take a cue from our cover and dress like your favorite celebrity – Fred Astaire, Madonna or a Kardashian. From devilish divas to pirate wenches, Halloween is one of the biggest adult celebrations of the year. Don’t get caught in last year’s costume if you want to win the costume contest at local bars. Here’s some best bets:
• Smart shoppers pull together one-of-a-kind costumes from local thrift shops and Goodwill.
• You can find vintage clothes at ArtPool Gallery in downtown St. Pete.
• Find your naughty maid and fright masks at Party City, Spirit Halloween Superstore and Halloween City.
• Stop in at Pinellas Park’s Theatrical Fantasy Costumes on Park Blvd. for sexy outfits, Steam Punk, fairy gear and boas, stockings, accessories and more.
Parties
Hosting a party at your house is a good way to avoid the bar crowds. Pick a theme, stock up on black and orange plates and utensils, make a party tape (Monster Mash, Thriller) and go wild. Decorate with cobwebs, fake spiders, paper bats and black and orange balloons. Order online from Oriental Trading Company or stock up at the party and dollar stores.
• Foodie Fun: Set out glass jars filled with gorey treats (gummy worms, candy eyeballs) and let your guests make their own goodie bags. Make everything finger food.
• Drink Ideas: If it’s punch, make sure it icky green or devilish red. Add dry ice for an eerie effect.
Halloween Events
Guavaween, costume parades, zombies dancing Thriller and haunted houses are all part of our local Halloween fun. Local recreation centers host Halloween family costume parades and fun events while some area bars throw legendary freaky bashes (Crabby Bills, The Wharf, Ricky T’s, Daiquiri Deck to name a few). Let me admit, I’m a scaredy cat so I can’t deal with the walking dead or Casper the ghost.
• For those who can, make a date to attend Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream Evil Encore haunted houses Sept. 23 – Oct. 30.
• Tame fun with the family can be had at the Lowry Zoo’s “Creatures of the Night” Oct. 7 – Oct. 29 where you can wander into scare zones or encounter animals at night. Party the night away at a ghoulish dance party. No horror or gore, just scares and startles for one & all.
• Further out, Disney and Universal Studios offer Halloween-themed events for kids of all ages.
• Ghost Tours of St. Petersburg lets you peer into the shadows and mysteries of Florida’s “Sunshine City” on a candlelight walking tour of downtown St. Petersburg! Hear true ghost stories of wandering spirits, haunted mansions, phantom lovers, and age old curses… forgotten tales brought back to life. http://www.ghosttour.net/stpetersburg.html
• Oct. 15, 11 am – 5 pm, the Studio @ 620 presents Hauntizaar: Halloween and Day of the Dead Arts Festival: This unique seasonal offering will feature original creations from 20 area artists who are passionate about Halloween and Day of the Dead! Come buy yourself something SPOOKTACULAR!!
• On Oct. 22 from 10 am – 1 pm, bring your doggie in costume to Wag-O-Ween Costume Party at the Treasure Island Community Center Park sponsored by Bow Wow Express and Gulf Beaches Rotary. Bring a donation of pet food or treats; RSVP to whitneyshenkman@gmail.com
• Oct. 27, 5 – 7:30 pm is Tampa Bay Watch’s Pumpkins on the Porch is a fun-filled evening at their Pinellas Bayway South Marine and Education Center that includes a costume contest for best family, boy and girl as well as a showing of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” http://tampabaywatch.org/pumpkins-on-the-porch.html
• Oct. 29, 5 pm, John’s Pass Seafood Festival: Zombie Alert! Start practicing for your Thriller dance moves with the club or by video. Thrill St. Pete is a local division of Thrill The World, raising money for charity (Ready for Life – Foster Care here) while celebrating Michael Jackson’s talent by simultane-ously dancing to “Thriller.” http://thrillstpete.org/
• Oct. 30, you can run or walk the 8th Annual Florida Halloween Halfathon & 5K in costume (or not) at Ft. De Soto Park. http://www.active.com/st-petersburg-fl/running/distance-running-races/8th-annual-florida-halloween-halfathon-and-5k-2016
Halloween Safety
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has some suggestions for your little ghouls to stay safe, suggesting that parents prepare for the spookiest night of the year with these helpful tips:
• When you’re setting up your haunted house with cotton cobwebs, cardboard tombstones, and plastic spiders, be mindful about your visitors’ safety.
• Establish a clear walkway free of tripping hazards (whether they are leashes and hoses or rubber snakes and eyeballs), and keep flammable materials away from fire.
• You can avoid fire by lighting your jack-o-lanterns with holiday lights instead of candles.
• Make sure your kid’s costumes are sensible and they can see clearly if they wear a mask. Be sure to give them a flashlight and attach reflective tape to their costumes. Keep children in sight at ALL times.
• Talk to your children about proper trick-or-treating behavior and manners. Don’t let them eat all their candy at once and sort through it first.
Story by Nanette Wiser