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By Times staff
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 11, 2001
Fright Fest makes its fifth appearance on the Renaissance Festival grounds at Largo Central Park, beginning Friday. This year's theme: the Asylum Gardens.
"Pretty much, it's a night out with the loonies," said Stephanie Moffett, the fest's entertainment director.
Each night after 9, the inhabitants of the gardens will battle to see who is the King of Darkness. Later, for the first time at the fest, one member of the cast will be publicly "hanged."
"We are going to drop somebody from a scaffold with a rope around their neck," Moffett said. "The funny thing is, we have volunteers. . . . We're dragging them up to the scaffold with the executioner and witnesses for all to see."
Other new events include the Mad Scientist DJ, playing songs from the '50s and beyond; a pumpkin stuffing contest; and a strange noises contest.
There is a children's Boo Bash area with storytelling, games and trick-or-treating for the youngest children, plus a children's trail suitable for "a brave 4-year-old and up. It's only mild startle scares. We really try not to traumatize in any way, no blood, no gore."
That's all at the other terror trail. "The adult trail I wouldn't recommend for any but the bravest of youngsters," Moffett said. "We do not spare the blood and gore out there."
Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-31. Tickets are $2.95 for children and $7.95 for ages 13 and older in advance, $4.95 and $9.95 at the gate. Children 4 and younger are admitted free.
For more information, call toll-free 1-800-779-4910 or see www.renaissancefest.com.