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Halloween fun
By Times Staff Writer
Published October 25, 2004
With Halloween less than a week away, cool thrills and chills abound for teens, tweens and younger sibs to enjoy. Check out these offerings around the bay area. And for a complete list of Halloween fun, see the Weekend section Thursday.
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
"Rest in Pieces VII' Fri.-Sat. Honeymoon Island State Park features two haunted trails (one scary and one not), horse-drawn hayrides, spooky storytelling, pony rides, kids games and more. Costumes encouraged; bring bug repellent, flashlight and bag for treats. 6-10 p.m. at the park, One Causeway Blvd. (on Curlew Road, at west end of Dunedin Causeway). $10 per car (includes 10 game tickets). Small fee for games, hayrides and pony rides. (727) 469-5943.
Haunted Tram Rides Fri.-Sat. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park transforms Pepper Creek Trail into a haunted scenario for families; also clowns, face painting and child safety booth. 6-11 p.m. at the park, 4150 S Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa. Tram rides depart from and return to tram station behind visitor center on U.S. 19. $5 adults, $3 ages 12 and under. (352) 628-5343.
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin FestivalFri.-Sun. With music, scarecrow displays, hayrides, chainsaw sculptor, 150 craft booths, corn maze, pioneer trades village and antique engines, pumpkins for purchase. Also pony rides, petting zoo and more for kids. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hunsader Farms, 5100 CR 675 (between State Road 64 and State Road 70), Manatee County (near Bradenton). $6, ages 12 and younger free; $2 parking. (941) 322-2168.
Creatures of the Dark through Sunday
Great Explorations: The Children's Museum features non-scary adventure with live animals, "creature crafts" and a creepy-crawly maze; kids explore with night vision goggles; also a mask-making activity. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. today-Sat. and noon-4:30 Sun. 1925 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. $2 plus regular admission: $8 adults, $7 seniors and youth ages 3-11.
Zoo Boothrough Sunday Lowry Park Zoo's event continues with haunted houses and trails ranging in intensity from suitable for all ages to scary, for ages 10 and older only; also Spooky Trails carriage ride $4 extra, new bizarre carnival midway, animal show, Monster Basketball and Pumpkin Pitch games (extra fee). 7-10 p.m. Wed., Fri. and Sun.; and 7-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. $11 adults, $9 ages 3-11. (813) 935-8552; or www.lowryparkzoo.com
Walt Disney WorldTue.-Sun.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, 7 p.m.-midnight Tue., Thur.-Fri. and Sun. Sun. sold out, $31.95 adults advance, $34.95 at gate; $25.95 ages 3-9 advance, $28.95 gate. Magic Kingdom, Exit I-4 at Exit 64, west of Orlando. (407) 934-7639cq; or www.disneyworld.com
Guavaween Family FunFest Sat. With entertainment on multiple stages, safe trick-or-treating at Centro Ybor, 1600 E Eighth Ave. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., children's costume parade and contest at Centennial Park, Eighth Avenue and 18th Street (3 p.m.), silly scavenger hunt, "create a creature" workshop (small fee), spooky stories, SpongeBob, Radio Disney and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Ybor City. $3, ages 6 and under free. Daytime shuttle $5 adults (round trip), kids free (10 a.m.-3 p.m. only). (813) 242-4828; or www.cc-events.org
Halloween Haunted Trail Sat.-Sun. Central Florida Pirate Festival and St. Petersburg Youth Council presents an event at Boyd Hill Nature Park with fireside storytelling, carnival rides and games, decorated cabins and a haunted trail. 7-10 p.m. at park, use environmental center entrance at 2900 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. Trail $3; everything else is free. (727) 524-8050.
Creatures of the Dark Halloween Party Sun. Great Explorations: The Children's Museum presents costume contests for adults and kids, on-stage creature demonstrations, entertainment, scary storytelling, treats and other family fun. Includes Creatures of the Dark exhibit. 4-8 p.m. 1925 Fourth St. N (next to Sunken Gardens), St. Petersburg. $5 (includes museum admission). (727) 821-8992.
GuppyweenSun.Party for kids at the Florida Aquarium with trick-or-treating, critter hunt, pumpkin-rolling contest and other entertainment. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $7 adults, children ages 10 and under in costume admitted free. Channelside dining special: Kids ages 10 and under in costume eat free 3-9 p.m. Sun. only at Splitsville, Stump's Supper Club, Margarita Mama's and Hooters (with paying adults). (813) 273-4000.
Halloween Family Festival at BayWalk Sun.Family event with safe trick-or-treating and costume contest for children (by age groups). 4-6 p.m. with costume contest in Center Courtyard at 5 p.m. At First Street and Second Avenue N, downtown St. Petersburg. (727) 895-9277. Free.
GameWorks Halloween Party Sun. With costume contest, trick-or-treating and prize balloon drop. 2-6 p.m., GameWorks at Centro Ybor, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. (813) 241-9675. Free.
Haunted AquariumSun. The Pier Aquarium features slimy creatures, eerie sea stories and other family activities; treats for kids in costume. Noon-6 p.m. at aquarium on second floor of the Pier. 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. $1. (727) 895-7437.
FOR TEENS ONLY
TASCO Masquerade Bash Sat. For teens in grades 6-12 presented by St. Petersburg Recreation Department, with music by DJ and dancing, haunted game show, costume contest, Foosball, air hockey, pool tables and video gaming. 8-11:30 p.m., St. Petersburg College gymnasium, 6605 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $5 advance, $7 at door. (727) 892-5060.
Howl-O-Screamthrough Sun.
Busch Gardens event continues with six haunted houses with state-of-the-art special effects, four scare zones, six roller coasters in the dark, spooky live shows, food. Not recommended for children. 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Thur. and Sun. and 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat. General admission $53.95. Passport members advance $29.95 for Fri.-Sat., $24.95 Thur. and Sun. Promotions and in-park upgrades available. 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa. Toll-free 1-888-800-5447; or www.buschgardens.com
Universal OrlandoThur.-Sun.
Halloween Horror Nights XIV, 7 p.m. Thur.-Sun., $54.75. Exit Interstate 4 at Exit 75A, Orlando. Toll-free 1-800-837-2273; or www.uescape.com
