by Adele Woodyard
Even though it comes at the end of October, Halloween begins three holiday months in a row. So blog #1 will feature the fun and frights, haunts and horrors presently being offered in and around Sarasota. For more information: http://www.visitsarasota.org
Fri. 10/19: Kids wear your costume to the Fish, Fun, and Fright Night at the Mote Marine Aquarium, 6:30-9:00 p.m. There’s Dr. Franklin Fish’s Lab of Horrors to visit (best for kids 8 and over), dig for sharks teeth on Coffin’s Creek, and more. Online $6 person until 10/17, $10 non-members at door; Free kids under 4. 941-388-4441 http://www.mote.org/halloween .
Sat. 10/20: It’s an adults only at the 4th annual Zombie Pub Crawl in Gulf Gate area bars block party, 5 p.m.-midnight?. Look and dress like a zombie to enjoy special drinks, games and raffle. Pre-buy available 10/1; $20 at door. http://www.srqzombies.com
Fri. 10/26: Family Boo-fest at Lakewood Ranch with trick or treat from 6:00-9:00 p.m., costume parade 6:30, ghost stories 7:30 and 8:30. A scarecrow costume contest, haunted house and more add to the fun.
Sat. 10/27: Same place, next night it’s adults only for the 2nd annual Lakewood Ranch International Beer Festival along Main Street. 800-954-9578, http://www.lakewoodranch.com
Fri-Sun; 10/26-28: 4th Annual Sarasota Pumpkin Festival, Sarasota Fairgrounds, noon-10 p.m. offers pie eating and costume contests, a “not-so-scary Haunted House”, pumpkin carving, trick or treating, and more for $5 admission, advance; $7 at gate. Kids 12 and under FREE. . Carnival rides (tickets extra at Festival) Benefit: All Children’s Hospital. 941-706-3102. http://www.sarasotapumpkinfestival.com
Sun-Tues, 10/28-10/30: Ghost Tours with Kim Cool 7:00-8:00 p.m. See and hear about the scary ghouls and events in a walk through downtown Venice. $15 in advance; reservation required. 941-486-2626.
Wed. 10/31: St. Armand’s Circle celebrates Halloween with their 3rd Fright Night, 6:00-10:00 p.m. Trick or treat in scary shops on spooky streets where even the statues wear costumes. 8 p.m. the Sarasota High School Drama Dept. presents a street performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. FREE
Go for one of the $500 prizes in a costume contest at Sarasota’s Ramada Waterfront Hotel’s Sinful Halloween Party. General admission $10, $5 for hospitality industry. Want to spend the night? Ask for the Neighborhood Rates Package that starts at $59/night. 941-358-1000
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott, Venice offers a 25% discount, standard room on Halloween night. Ask for the Zombie Rate; 941-488-4343.
Vacation Fun Florida Weblog 