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Halloween 1999
By CORRIE BENFIELD
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 29, 1999
It's the very last Halloween of the century, so how will you celebrate? We've searched for the scariest, most fun-filled events of the season. Take a look -- if you dare.
WHERE: Lowry Park Bandshell, 7525 N Boulevard, Tampa. WHEN: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
COST: Free. GIST: A safe, fun event sponsored by the City of Tampa Recreation Department featuring spooky games, magicians, jugglers, puppet shows, scary storytelling and make-n-take creepy crafts. There will be a costume contest at 5 p.m. with prizes for winners in each age group. Concessions will also be available. CALL: (813) 274-7723.
WHERE: Lowry Park Zoo, 7530 N Boulevard, Tampa. WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m., today through Sunday.
COST: $6.75 adults, $4.75 children (members receive $1 discount).
GIST: Features the Spectacular Stroll of Fright where guests enter through a haunted graveyard and wind their way through the Mad Science Room, Haunted Portrait Hall and Scare and Shriek Station. For the less adventurous, Spooky Storytelling and creepy crafts are available. CALL: (813) 935-8552 ext. 208.
WHERE: Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa.
WHEN: 8 p.m. to midnight tonight.
COST: $40 members, $50 non-members.
GIST: A night of three live bands, a charity sale, food and bar service from leading local chefs, costume contests, all to benefit veterinary care programs at the Florida Aquarium. CALL: (813) 273-4568.
WHERE: The corner of Seventh Avenue and 20th Street, Ybor City.
WHEN: 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. tonight, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
COST: $12 for adults, $9 for children.
GIST: Features Hollywood special effects, dazzling sets, live actors, a 20-foot "Vortex Tunnel," gothic graveyards, leaping corpses and an eight-foot werewolf. CALL: (813) 241-8400.
WHERE: Rotary's Camp Florida, one mile north of U.S. 60, off Lakewood Drive, Brandon.
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday.
COST: Free admission, tickets sold for food and activities.
GIST: An event to raise money for local charities. Carnival activities, costume contests, ghost stories, a haunted house, food and a Casper's kids playground.
WHERE: The Event Factory in Town 'N Country Plaza, 7565 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa.
WHEN: 7 p.m. to midnight tonight and Saturday; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.COST: $6 for the castle, $3 for children's activities.
GIST: Visitors are sent on a scary, graphic mission by SPECTER Academy (the Society for Paranormal Energy Containment and Training of Experimental Researchers) to investigate the Von Essen Castle for rumors of paranormal activity. A Haunted Playroom is available each night from 7 to 9 p.m. for smaller children, along with a special Trick or Treat Trail from 3 to 5 p.m. on Halloween.
CALL: (813) 887-5020.
WHERE: Tampa Skating Center, 5121 N Armenia Ave., Tampa.
WHEN: Through Sunday.COST: $6 regular admission, $1 haunted house, free on Sat. and Sun. with a costume.
GIST: Haunted house; costume contest is today with a free laser glow necklace for all who enter.
CALL: (813) 876-5826.
WHERE: Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 U.S. 301 N, Thonotosassa.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. today and Saturday.
COST: $4 for the walk, $2 for the hayride, 25 cents for games.
GIST: A walk through the Haunted Woods, a visit to the Little Spooky House, a hayride on a mule-drawn cart and games and concessions.
CALL: (813) 987-6771.
WHERE: Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St.
WHEN: 8:15 tonight.
COST: $5.75 in advance, $6.75 day of show.
GIST: A special Halloween showing of the cult classic featuring a performance by the Larger Than Life Cast V.
CALL: (813) 274-8981.
WHERE: Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday..
COST: $6 and $4.50.
GIST: The original 1925 silent scream version with Lon Chaney, featuring live musical accompaniment by Rosa Rio at the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ.
CALL: (813) 274-8981
WHERE: Hope Presbyterian Church, 826 S Miller Road, Valrico.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
COST: Free.
GIST: A safe alternative to trick or treating, this event offers family fun with crafts, food and other festivities.
CALL: (813) 684-4689.
WHERE: The streets of historic Ybor City.
WHEN: Events begin at 11 a.m. Saturday.
COST: $2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free with costume or flyer coupon, $8 after 4 p.m., advance, group and discount tickets available.
GIST: Tampa's Latin-style Mardi Gras, complete with amusement rides, arts and crafts, entertainment, storytelling, trick or treating, scavenger hunt, costume parade and contest and live music.
CALL: (813) 621-7121 or (813) 248-0721 or (813) 242-4828.
WHERE: Skipper's Smoke House, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa.
WHEN: 8 tonight.COST: $7, 18 and up or with a parent.
GIST: A costume ball loosely based on a 1960s San Francisco event celebrated in Shel Silverstein's Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball. Music is provided by the Swingin' Mooks and prizes are available for the best costumes.
CALL: (813) 971-0666.
WHERE: Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday.
COST: $6, ages 18 and up.
GIST: Patrick Foy and the Coral Reef Revue gear up for Jimmy Buffett's Tampa visit on Nov. 30, entertaining fans by singing Buffett's songs. Join a Conga line and win prizes.
CALL: (813) 971-0666.
WHERE: Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday.
COST: $6, 18 and up.
GIST: The third in a series of six concerts showcasing national and local talent. Featuring performances by Grin, Beanstalk and Fat Apple. Costumes are encouraged.
CALL: (813) 971-0666.
WHERE: WestShore Plaza, intersection of Westshore and Kennedy boulevards in Tampa.
WHEN: 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
COST: Free.
GIST: Costumed children can go store to store for trick-or-treats. At 4:15 p.m. a spooktacular stage show takes place in the Center Court of the mall.
CALL: (813) 286-0790.
WHERE: 3412 Villa Rose, Tampa.
WHEN: Through Sunday.
COST: Free.
GIST: A frightening outdoor setting of life-size ghouls, eerie lighting effects, classic monster characters and other scenes. The detailed scenes, ranging from spooky to whimsical, are entertaining for the whole family.
CALL: (813) 289-7374.
WHERE: Audubon Resource Center at Lettuce Lake Park, on East Fletcher Avenue, west of I-75.
WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
COST: Free.
GIST: A nature-oriented party where Junior Audubon members help visitors assemble a variety of creative wild bird feeders. Following the indoor activities, members lead visitors on a nature walk through the park.
CALL: (813) 968-3453.
WHERE: 9325 Crandon Lane, Tampa.
WHEN: 8 to 11 p.m. tonight and Saturday, 8 to 10 p.m. Sunday.
COST: $1.
GIST: Based on the scary tale of Mr. Sheldon Chase, an evil man who spends Halloween collecting the souls of those who wander into his house, the house features actors, special effects and a video greeting.
WHERE: The Sons of Italy, Unita Lodge #2015, 3315 Lemon St., Tampa.
WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday.
COST: $10.
GIST: A BYOB-and-snacks dance with music provided by Kimberly Kaye and Swing Fever, a seven-piece band. Games and prizes add to the evening's entertainment. Costumes optional.
CALL: (813) 870-1805.