The annual haunted house program at the May-Stringer homestead is just one of many Halloween-themed events coming up.
By LOGAN NEILL
Published October 29, 2004
The final week of October is always an interesting time around the old May-Stinger homestead in Brooksville. Inside the Civil War-era house, shadows tend to look a bit creepier, the wooden floors creak a little louder and the air feels a tad chillier.
Whether this is all part of endless ghost lore spun by local residents or just the notion that Halloween naturally heightens people's imaginations, Virginia Jackson isn't sure. All she knows is that it's part of the fun she enjoys this time of year.
"Oh, we just love Halloween," said Jackson, longtime director of the May-Stringer Heritage Museum at 601 Museum Drive, just east of downtown Brooksville. "Sometimes I wonder whether the adults don't love it more than the kids do."
Tonight, as it has for the past 10 Halloweens, the museum becomes the city's official Halloween haunted house. Visitors will be able to wander through the entire 12-room hous. And, if they dare, even venture upstairs to the attic, where untold scary things reportedly lie in wait.
A group of 25 staff members and volunteers spent the week trucking in items such as skeletons and coffins for realistic displays, Jackson said. Visitors also will be able to gather outside to listen to campfire ghost stories or stroll through the graveyard behind the house.
The haunted house will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. today and Saturday. Admission is $3 for adults. Children younger than 6 are free. For information, call 799-0129.
Here's a rundown of other Halloween events in the area:
Weeki Wachee Springs will have its annual Wild and Wicked Nights from 7 to 11 p.m. today and Saturday. Events include an Underwater Spooktacular show, a haunted forest, a magic show, the "Creatures of the Night" show, the mermaid witches, plus costume contest, haunted boat rides and trick or treating. Admission is $10.95 plus tax for adults and $7.95 plus tax for children ages 3 to 10. Platinum season pass holders are admitted free. For information, call 596-2062, or visit the park's Web site at www.weekiwachee.com Weeki Wachee Springs is at Cortez Boulevard and Commercial Way in Weeki Wachee.
The Spring Hill Central Rotary Club will sponsor a Family Fun Fest dog fair and Halloween carnival from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot at Weeki Wachee Springs at Cortez Boulevard and Commercial Way in Weeki Wachee. Activities include carnival games, trick or treating and costume contests for dogs and kids. The event is free. But there will be a charge for games and food, plus an entry fee for the dog costume contest. Prizes will be awarded. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Centennial Park, which will include the county's first dog park. For information, call 684-0313.
Christ Lutheran Church will host Trunk or Treat from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the church at 475 W North Ave. in Brooksville. There will be candy, games with prizes, a moonwalk, tic-tac-toe and flower toss games, hot dogs and soda. The event is free. For information, call Terry McKee at 796-8331.
A Haunted Fun House will open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Serena's Dance Palace , 1425 Kass Circle, Spring Hill. Tickets are $3 per person or $5 for two tickets. For information, call 684-8004.
There will be a Halloween haunted house at the Aripeka Community Club , 1393 Osowaw Blvd., Aripeka, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. today and Saturday. The theme of the house will be scary movies. Admission will be $5. For information, call 666-2900 or (727) 868-5786.
The Ladies of Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520 will host a Halloween dinner-dance Saturday at the lodge, 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Music for dancing will be provided by New Generation. There will be a costume contest with prizes awarded for the best and most original costumes. Tickets are $10 and are available at the bar at the lodge. Call (727) 863-2520.
Satan's Den haunted house will be open to the public from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday at 4625 Goldcoast Ave. (next to St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church) in Spring Hill. The house is hosted by Herb and Nancy Sauer of Gothic Hallow.
The Airport Flea Market will have a Halloween party from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The market is on Spring Hill Drive, west of U.S. 41, south of Brooksville. There will be trick or treating, a costume contest, prizes and raffles, crafts, games, food and drinks. Money raised during the event will benefit the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Medical Clinic, which is trying to build a facility to house families of veterans who cannot afford lodging and expenses. For information, call 796-0268.
