Where to get into the Halloween spirit(s)

Where to get into the Halloween spirit(s)

October 11, 2010 at 11:00 am by Julie Garisto

‘Tis the season for creepy fun. Here’s an ongoing, continuously updated rundown of adult-only and family-friendly Halloween events.

Ghost Tours That big, pink castle on St. Pete Beach, the old-timey Tampa Theatre: Are they also … haunted? Ghost Tours take you on haunted expeditions at landmarks throughout Tampa Bay. Reservations required. Call 717-894-4678 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 717-894-4678 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Halloween Horror Nights On select nights, the theme park is turned into Halloween Horror Nights XX, which this year, is about Fear himself, offering guests eight new houses, new scarezones and live shows. There may be a glimpse of the familiar this year, but HHN XX is not an anniversary event. Hours on select Thursdays and Sundays are from 6:30 p.m. to Midnight or 1 a.m. Hours on Fridays and Saturdays are from 6:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. Oct. 14-17; Oct. 20-24; Oct. 27-31. Universal Studios, 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando. 407-363-8000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 407-363-8000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Haunted Hike Euclid-St. Paul’s, St. Petersburg, is considered by many to be the city’s most paranormal neighborhood. See for yourself during a family-friendly Haunted Hike Sat., Oct. 16. Tours leave the intersection of 13th Avenue and 13th Street North in St. Petersburg every 15 minutes between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The Hike is a one-mile walking tour and takes approximately one hour to complete. See “The Black Widow and Her Sinister Sister,” “Miss Mary Eaton’s Haunted Orange Grove” and “The Secret Bootlegger’s Basement.” Advance tickets are $6 for adults and $2 for kids 12 years old and under. They can be purchased online at www.espna.org or at the Dairy Inn at 1201 MLK Jr. St. N. Kids under 2 years old are admitted free. Tickets purchased the night of the Hike at the intersection 13th Ave. and 13th St. North are $7 for adults and $3 for kids 12 years old and under. Kids under 2 years old are free. Also at the corner of 13th Ave. and 13th St. N. will be the Ghouly Goodies Bake Sale featuring homemade baked goods. The ESP neighborhood is located between 9th and 22nd Avenues and 16th and MLK Streets North. Proceeds from the event and the bake sale will benefit the ESP Neighborhood Association and the Alpha House of St. Petersburg. The Hike is sponsored by Alice June Graphics and the Dairy Inn. For more information, call Wendy Wesley at 727-823- 0393 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 727-823- 0393 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, e-mail wendystpete@gmail.com.

Howl-O-Scream The stage is set for the biggest event in Howl-O-Scream history, with live performances by the killer band, My X. This years theme is littered with the revenge of lead singer Sylvie on her ex-boyfriend. There will be a mix of live shows, houses, scarezones, and a 21+ nightclub. Hours are: Thursdays 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Halloween night 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Visit tampa.howl-o-scream.com for ticket info. Oct. 14-16; Oct. 21-23; Oct. 28-31. Busch Gardens, 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa. 813-987-5082 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 813-987-5082 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. buschgardens.com.

Nightmare on Central Avenue The night will include live bands and DJ, art vendors, burlesque performances, fashion show, live painting and costume prizes! $8. Sat., Oct. 16, 8 p.m. Local 662, 662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Radley Haunted House St. Pete resident Cody Meacham constructed the donations-only haunted house off of 38th Avenue and 19th Street North. In the last 5 years, some 1,500 customers have visited the spooky dwelling. For information, call 727-420-5593 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 727-420-5593 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or visit the house’s fan page on Facebook. Wed.-Sun. 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Oct. 13-31. Radley House, 3900 19th St. N, St. Petersburg.

ScareCo Haunted House Vintage spooky fun with off-the-midway anomalies and old dolls whose eyes creepily follow you. Parents are strongly advised to accompany children under the age of 13. 7-11 p.m. $7. www.scareco.com; 727-437-2DIE. Oct. 15-16; Oct. 22-23; Oct. 29-30. ScareCo, 101 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs.

ZooBoo Tampa’s largest family Halloween event is back with a cursed Egyptian feel. It gives kids and adults alike a fun, spooky and safe place to celebrate this time of year. It features haunted houses and trails, animal encounters, light displays, music, free rides and more. For ticket prices and additional information, visit lowryparkzoo.com/zooboo/. Oct. 15-17; Oct. 22-24; Oct. 28-31. Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa.

Haunted Heights An elaborate Halloween extravaganza raises money for Dogma, a pet rescue organization. Includes fashion show, $1,200 costume contest, more than 20 performers, scare zones, waterfront patio, live music, four bars, fire breathers, onsite special effects and more. $25-$40. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Oct. 30. The Heights Tampa, 1902 N Highland Ave., Tampa. Event aids animals but no pets are permitted.

Halloween Ghost Ship Raw The American Victory Ship presents its two-night event that offers a stripped-down, bare-to-the-bones night aboard what professional ghost investigators claim to be an authentic haunted ship. In 1952, the AmVic returned from the Korean War carrying 134 deceased soldiers. Many people, including professional ghost investigators, say that they have experienced and paranormal activity on board. There will be no sets and no actors. Guests will be allowed to tour the ship in near darkness to see what they may encounter. A paranormal investigation team will be on board to teach participants the basics of “Ghost Investigation 101,” including the use of a command center, EMF readers, tape recorders and infrared lights. Event takes place Fri. and Sat., Oct. 29-30 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. $10. Purchase them at ticketweb.com, by calling TicketWeb at 866-468-7630 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866-468-7630 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or in person aboard the AmVic located directly behind the Florida Aquarium at 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa.

October 11, 2010 at 11:00 am by Julie Garisto

‘Tis the season for creepy fun. Here’s an ongoing, continuously updated rundown of adult-only and family-friendly Halloween events.

Ghost Tours That big, pink castle on St. Pete Beach, the old-timey Tampa Theatre: Are they also … haunted? Ghost Tours take you on haunted expeditions at landmarks throughout Tampa Bay. Reservations required. Call 717-894-4678 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 717-894-4678 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Halloween Horror Nights On select nights, the theme park is turned into Halloween Horror Nights XX, which this year, is about Fear himself, offering guests eight new houses, new scarezones and live shows. There may be a glimpse of the familiar this year, but HHN XX is not an anniversary event. Hours on select Thursdays and Sundays are from 6:30 p.m. to Midnight or 1 a.m. Hours on Fridays and Saturdays are from 6:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. Oct. 14-17; Oct. 20-24; Oct. 27-31. Universal Studios, 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando. 407-363-8000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 407-363-8000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Haunted Hike Euclid-St. Paul’s, St. Petersburg, is considered by many to be the city’s most paranormal neighborhood. See for yourself during a family-friendly Haunted Hike Sat., Oct. 16. Tours leave the intersection of 13th Avenue and 13th Street North in St. Petersburg every 15 minutes between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The Hike is a one-mile walking tour and takes approximately one hour to complete. See “The Black Widow and Her Sinister Sister,” “Miss Mary Eaton’s Haunted Orange Grove” and “The Secret Bootlegger’s Basement.” Advance tickets are $6 for adults and $2 for kids 12 years old and under. They can be purchased online at www.espna.org or at the Dairy Inn at 1201 MLK Jr. St. N. Kids under 2 years old are admitted free. Tickets purchased the night of the Hike at the intersection 13th Ave. and 13th St. North are $7 for adults and $3 for kids 12 years old and under. Kids under 2 years old are free. Also at the corner of 13th Ave. and 13th St. N. will be the Ghouly Goodies Bake Sale featuring homemade baked goods. The ESP neighborhood is located between 9th and 22nd Avenues and 16th and MLK Streets North. Proceeds from the event and the bake sale will benefit the ESP Neighborhood Association and the Alpha House of St. Petersburg. The Hike is sponsored by Alice June Graphics and the Dairy Inn. For more information, call Wendy Wesley at 727-823- 0393 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 727-823- 0393 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, e-mail wendystpete@gmail.com.

Howl-O-Scream The stage is set for the biggest event in Howl-O-Scream history, with live performances by the killer band, My X. This years theme is littered with the revenge of lead singer Sylvie on her ex-boyfriend. There will be a mix of live shows, houses, scarezones, and a 21+ nightclub. Hours are: Thursdays 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Halloween night 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Visit tampa.howl-o-scream.com for ticket info. Oct. 14-16; Oct. 21-23; Oct. 28-31. Busch Gardens, 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa. 813-987-5082 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 813-987-5082 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. buschgardens.com.

Nightmare on Central Avenue The night will include live bands and DJ, art vendors, burlesque performances, fashion show, live painting and costume prizes! $8. Sat., Oct. 16, 8 p.m. Local 662, 662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Radley Haunted House St. Pete resident Cody Meacham constructed the donations-only haunted house off of 38th Avenue and 19th Street North. In the last 5 years, some 1,500 customers have visited the spooky dwelling. For information, call 727-420-5593 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 727-420-5593 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or visit the house’s fan page on Facebook. Wed.-Sun. 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Oct. 13-31. Radley House, 3900 19th St. N, St. Petersburg.

ScareCo Haunted House Vintage spooky fun with off-the-midway anomalies and old dolls whose eyes creepily follow you. Parents are strongly advised to accompany children under the age of 13. 7-11 p.m. $7. www.scareco.com; 727-437-2DIE. Oct. 15-16; Oct. 22-23; Oct. 29-30. ScareCo, 101 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs.

ZooBoo Tampa’s largest family Halloween event is back with a cursed Egyptian feel. It gives kids and adults alike a fun, spooky and safe place to celebrate this time of year. It features haunted houses and trails, animal encounters, light displays, music, free rides and more. For ticket prices and additional information, visit lowryparkzoo.com/zooboo/. Oct. 15-17; Oct. 22-24; Oct. 28-31. Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa.

Haunted Heights An elaborate Halloween extravaganza raises money for Dogma, a pet rescue organization. Includes fashion show, $1,200 costume contest, more than 20 performers, scare zones, waterfront patio, live music, four bars, fire breathers, onsite special effects and more. $25-$40. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Oct. 30. The Heights Tampa, 1902 N Highland Ave., Tampa. Event aids animals but no pets are permitted.

Halloween Ghost Ship Raw The American Victory Ship presents its two-night event that offers a stripped-down, bare-to-the-bones night aboard what professional ghost investigators claim to be an authentic haunted ship. In 1952, the AmVic returned from the Korean War carrying 134 deceased soldiers. Many people, including professional ghost investigators, say that they have experienced and paranormal activity on board. There will be no sets and no actors. Guests will be allowed to tour the ship in near darkness to see what they may encounter. A paranormal investigation team will be on board to teach participants the basics of “Ghost Investigation 101,” including the use of a command center, EMF readers, tape recorders and infrared lights. Event takes place Fri. and Sat., Oct. 29-30 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. $10. Purchase them at ticketweb.com, by calling TicketWeb at 866-468-7630 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866-468-7630 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or in person aboard the AmVic located directly behind the Florida Aquarium at 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa.