May, Mother’s and Memorial Days

by Adele Woodyard
What are you doing/getting/planning with or for Mom on Mother’s Day? Need some ideas? Here’s just a few from FREE to the upper registers in cost. More important, is a choice based on what she likes best, be it wildlife, dance, drama, music, flowers—or YOU?
May 12-13.Mom has a FREE day at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, with her son or daughter who has a full admission paid ticket. You’ll get in Free too, if the day happens to fall on your birthday. May 30: Memorial Day is FREE for active and retired Military with ID. Even a freebie for up to three dependents 813-935-8552. http://www.lowryparkzoo.com .
Another FREEBIE is in Ocala where the College of Central Florida presents its 30th Annual Spring Ballet in the Dassance Fine Arts Auditorium. 1 p.m. Sat. May 12, 7 p.m. Sun. May 13. 3001 SW College Rd. 352-873-5800.
May 13 is the last chance to see The Rocky Horror Show, American Stage in the Park, at Demon’s Landing, St. Pete. 8 p.m. $11 advance, $13 at gate Sun., $14, $16 Fri. and Sat. 727-823-7529. http://www.americanstage.org
It’s Music on Mother’s Day in South Florida where classic oldies will be sung by the Blue Magic, Delfonces and Stylistics at the BankUnited Center, University of Miami, 1245 Dauer Dr. Coral Gables. Tickets start at $35. Call 954-791-4175. http://starlineent.com/events
If gardening is Mom’s passion, she’ll love the annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival that will continue to May 20, 2012. Fri.-Sun. there is a Flower Power Concert Series , 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. 1200 Epcot Resort Blvd. Lake Buena Vista. 407-824-4321. If she’s a Florida resident, she can spend a three-day weekend and see all Walt Disney World Resort theme parks for $99. Purchase through May 21. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com
Mom up for a little macabre? Mummies of the World will be at MOSI, Tampa now through Labor Day. This only Florida stop is nothing like the mummies she may have seen in the Egyptian section of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Or the golden death’s head mask of King Tut at Busch Gardens. Where they remain wrapped as originally interred, these dried out, shrunken bodies are in full view, and the state of preservation is unbelievable. One child’s remains is said to be nearly 6.500 years old, a hyena less than 50. Unlike those from ancient Egypt, several of the mummies in the exhibit were naturally mummified by their environment. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. Sun. $18.95, $16. 95 seniors, $12.95 ages 2-12) for Exhibit only. 813-987-6000.

Thurs. May 31, Memorial Day, 6-9 p.m. brings a Red, White And Blue Celebration—Heroes Reunion in the Harbor, at Harbor Walk Village, Destin.. 850-424-0600.

Family Frights Are Fun

by Adele Woodyard

Ever tried finding your way through a corn maze? Or how about Halloween in the woods after dark? From the Panhandle to Key West, you’ll find some Florida State Parks http://www.floridastateparks.org where the spooks may lurk behind trees to jump out and say “Boo” as you pass by. Either way, unlike some scary events I reported earlier, kids don’t have to be older than 10 or even 13 to have a fright-ful good time.

Panhandle:
Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna. If you haven’t been deep underground when they turn off the lights, you’re in for a real fright. All of a sudden you’re in total blackness, literally can’t see your hand in front of your face. Now that’s scary! And when we went, it wasn’t even Halloween. But there’s also kids games if the “haunted” Spirit of the Caverns tour sounds too fright-ful.. 6-10 p.m. Oct. 29. 850-482-9598

Northeast:
Big Shoals State Park, White Springs. Put on a costume and bring a pumpkin to decorate and maybe win a prize (two contests) at the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Fest. 3-6:30 p.m. $2 person, or $4 for vehicle up to 8 people. 386-397-2733

Ravine Gardens State Park, Palatka has an Enchanted Forest to walk, or Enchanted Ravines for a wagon tour among their activities. 3-6 p.m. Oct. 23 386-329-3721.

Northwest:
Crystal River Preserve has a haunted house and spooky movies to make you shiver at their Haunted Halloween. Plus tram rides, kid’s activities and more. 7-10 p.m. Oct. 22 & 23, 29& 30. $5 per vehicle, $5 for haunted house. 352-563-0450.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park takes you on a Haunted Tram Ride along Pepper Creek Trail. A haunted house, costume contest and more add to the fun. 6-11 p.m. Oct. 29. $5 adult, $3 ages 12 and under. Haunted House $2/person. 352-628-5343

Sweetfields Corn Maze, Masaryktown has guides to help you find your way through 5 acres of corn ‘high as an elephant’s eye’, if clues are too well hidden. Hayride and a corn cannon add extra fun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m, weekends only, now through Nov. 7. $8.50 adult, $4.50 ages 3-1, 2 and under Free. Cash only. No pets. 352-279-0977. http://www.sweetfieldsfarm.com

East Central:
Deleon Springs State Park , Deland has haunted trails where you collect treats along the way. Storytelling and more for fun. 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 23. $3 age 7 and older, 6 and under Free. 386-985-4212

It’s Barkoween for dogs at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area , Flagler Beach. Dog costume contest, tricks for treating and a doggie nature walk start at 4 p.m. Oct. 29. Bring your dog, a lawn chair and $10 per registration. 386-517-2086

Central:
Silver River State Park, Ocala presents their annual Phantoms of the Forest in the Cracker Village. 7 p.m. Oct. 30. FREE with a non-perishable food donation. 352-236-7148

Scott’s Fall Corn Maze, Mount Dora has you looking for games as well as clues to find the exit from 7-acres of winding paths. A hayride, 60-foot super slide, kids’ zipline and more will keep you busy for hours. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays, now through Nov. 28. $10 adult, $8 ages 3-16, 2 and under Free. No pets. 352-383-6900. http://www.longandscottfarms.com

West Central:
Hillsborough River State Park, north of Tampa, offers tram rides and a spooky , haunted trail and more during the 18th Annual Haunted Woods Events.6-10 p.m. Oct. 22 & 23. $5 person. 813-987-6771

Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin has a haunted house and a scary trail for older kids, games, face painting and storytelling for little ones on the 13th Annual Halloween in the Park. Don’t forget a flashlight and bag for candy 6-10 p.m. Oct. 22-23. $10 donation per vehicle includes 10 free game tickets. 727-469-5942.

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, Port Richey has two trails, one spooky, one for tots, plus (separate fees) for hay rides, bounce house, and refreshments. 6-10 p.m. Oct. 29-30. $2 adult, $1 kids. 727-816-1890

South:
Hunsader Farms, Bradenton offer a Pumpkin Festival and 7-acre Corn Maze with many extras, set to live country music. Over 100 craft booths, pony and hayrides, a pioneer village and even a petting zoo will fill the day. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends only, Oct. 16-31. $7 adult, FREE for ages 12 and under. 941-322-2168. http://www.hunsaderfarms.com

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale guides families through a Howling Hammock trail of ghouls, critters and frights. Wear a costume and bring you own pumpkin to carve. 7-10 p.m. Oct. 22-24. $3 per person, or $10 for family up to four people. 954-564-4521.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West becomes a Haunted Fort to celebrate All Hallows Eve. 8-11 p.m. for three days over Oct. 22-24, and 28-31. $13 adult, $10 military, $8 ages 5-8, under 5 Free. 305-292-6713. .

Next week it’s BIG PARTY TIME