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Letter to the editor

These will get you in the spirit

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES, Times Correspondent
Published October 26, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Photo by Terri Bryce Reeves] One of the decorated light poles in downtown Dunedin.

Looking for some Halloween fun?

Well, rest in peace. We've been lurking around and there's plenty to do.

Attend a sance, go on a delightfully disturbing hayride or watch the original Dracula in a park.

Most everything listed here is rated "G" for goose bumps, so grab the kids and the costumes for some spirited adventures.

The Addams Family Water Ski Show: They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky. They're the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, a talented bunch of water skiers who build pyramids and perform tricks at 40 mph.

On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., they'll be presenting their rendition of the 1960s television show, The Addams Family. The plot revolves around a sance by Addams family and friends to call back Uncle Fester, who disappeared during Hurricane Ester. The guest list includes vampires, black cats, Captain Jack Sparrow and the Witches of Eastwick.

The free show takes place at Tower Lake near the Oldsmar Flea Market. From Tampa Road, take Racetrack Road north to Douglas. Turn left. The ski site entrance is at the second dirt drive on the left. For information call Lisa Schmidt at (727) 480-9365 or Vickie Wilmouth at (813) 265-9685 or visit tampawaterski.com.

Judgement House: This drama is an eight-scene guided tour through heaven and hell. Presented by Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, "Web of Lies" involves a sexual predator posing as a Brazilian soccer player on MySpace.com. The production draws thousands each year, so it is wise to make reservations ahead of time. Tickets are $5. Performances run Friday night and most of Saturday and Sunday. The church is located at the corner of Drew Street and McMullen Booth Road. Call (727) 441-1581, ext. 141, for more information. Not recommended for children under 10.

Oldsmar's Halloween Carnival: The city hosts a free Halloween carnival from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday.

Under the moon's eerie glow, children can play simple carnival games, venture through a haunted trail of creepy scenes and supernatural sound effects, and enter a costume contest.

The littlest ghosts and goblins can play in an inflatable haunted house.

This year's spooky setting is R.E. Olds Park, 107 Shore Drive W. Young children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Registration for the costume contest (for kids up to 12 years old) begins at 6 p.m. The contest starts at 6:30 p.m. Winners will receive gift certificates from Toys "R" Us.

Soda and bratwurst will be sold. For more information, contact the City of Oldsmar Leisure Services at (813) 749-1260.

Downtown Dunedin does Halloween: Dunedin's merchants and organizations have decorated the downtown light poles in ghostly grandeur. See their creative designs and nab some treats from friendly merchants Friday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Also, the Dunedin Historical Society Museum, at 349 Main St., will have an open house featuring two rooms of vintage Halloween memorabilia. The 1931 movie Dracula will play in Pioneer Park at dusk.

Halloween happenings at Highlander Park: A haunted hayride is the featured activity at Highlander Park Saturday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The park is at 1920 Pinehurst Road at Michigan Boulevard in Dunedin.

Jorie Peterson, Dunedin's recreation coordinator, said riders might be "attacked" by spiders, scary clowns or headless horseman, although she said the actors don't actually touch people.

"Somebody's going to get electrocuted," she said.

Also slated is a haunted house, carnival games, "Boo in the Zoo," storytelling, pony rides, a moonwalk, inflatable slide, Halloween crafts and pumpkin carving. Concession food will be available.

A costume contest will take place between 6 and 10 p.m. for various ages. Sixteen categories include newborns to those 17 years old.

Tickets for the games, rides and other events are 50 cents each or $10 for a pack of 22. Tickets for the haunted house or hayride are $3 or 8 for $20.

Proceeds benefit the Dunedin for Youth Fund. For more information, call (727) 812-4530.

Halloween Spooktacular in Largo: The city will present a Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m., at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive. Thirty activities, including rock-climbing walls, bungee jumps, paintless paintball (air balls), a giant slide and age-appropriate activity areas, will be available. There will also be a costume parade, food, entertainment and more. A free trick -or-treat trail with 31 candy stops will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. (no wristband needed).

Also, a Haunted CarnEvil will be held Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. behind the new library in Largo Central Park. It's a walking trail so spooky it's not recommended for children under 12. Friday night, admission to the CarnEvil is $3. Saturday night, it's included in the price of a wristband.

Wristbands are $7 the day of event or pre-purchase for a discount. Call (727) 587-6775 or visit largo.com.

Boo Bash: A free and safe "All Hallows Eve" is presented by the Clearwater Threshers and the City of Clearwater at Bright House Networks Field, 601 Old Coachman Road. The fun includes inflatables, games, a hayride, a costume parade and plenty of candy stations. Concessions will be available.

It will be held Wednesday, Halloween, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. A haunted house runs from 6 to 8 p.m. with a $1 admission charge.

For more information, call (727) 712- 4300.

Safe trick or treating in Safety Harbor: Don a costume and head for Main Street where local businesses will be handing out treats on Wednesday (Halloween) from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The road will be closed for children's safety.

Call (727) 724-1572 for more information.

[Last modified October 25, 2007, 21:07:17]