It’s October in Florida! The license plates are changing colors; the weather is turning mild; pumpkin decorations are popping up everywhere; and we’re reluctantly leaving our pool-side lifestyles behind for the mild Florida winter. While it’s still warm enough to spend some quality time at the pool, October is such an exciting time that our pools may just start to feel neglected. Here’s a list of some fantastic October events that sure to compete with our pool time.
October Family Fun
If you’re looking for family outdoor fun with rides, vendors, food, and especially pumpkins, check out the Fruitville Grove’s 28th Annual Pumpkin Festival, which runs every weekend in October. Sound like fun? You may also want to check out the Hunsader Farms 25th Annual Pumpkin Festival. Starting on the 15th, and running every weekend through the rest of October, this festival will offer pony rides, a corn maze, vendors, games, live music, and more! But if the pumpkin festival isn’t really your thing, there’s plenty more family fun to choose from.
Do you like movies? Do you like donating to a good cause? Well, then you want to check out the Howl-O-Ween Movie Night Spooktacular at the Ed Smith Stadium. A new event for this area, only in its second year, you and your family can screen a family-friendly movie, enjoy safe Halloween activities and candy, and even take part in a Halloween costume parade around the bases! Admission is one non-perishable food item (per person) that will go to the All Faiths Food Bank. This event will be held on October 15th.
Halloween’s a Splash
Not quite ready to give up the waterside lifestyle? Here are some perfect October events that should make you feel right at home.
If you enjoy marine life, check out a Night of Fun, Fish & Fright at Mote Aquarium on October 21st! Another aquatic-themed event is The Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex’s poolside Pumpkin Splash. This will be held on Saturday, October 22nd, from 2:00 PM – 5:00PM. It’s sure to be a spooky time filled with fun in the sun. If all else fails, you can even have a Halloween pool party of your own! Hey, it’s Florida. Why not host a spooky poolside party and invite all your friends to join? Ambiance is easy to achieve with these tips.
Looking for a Scream?
Halloween isn’t just about family fun. It’s a time when we can really enjoy some of the spookier parts of our area too. Manatee Village is running its spooky, graveside performance called Spirit Voices from Old Manatee. Listen and watch eerie graveside performances that tell the stories of our history. This event runs the second through the fourth weekends of October, starting at 6:30 PM.
Finally, if you’re interested in a traditional “haunted house” scare, Frightmares Haunted House attraction in Sarasota might just be a perfect fit for you. This is considered one of the most extreme local haunted house attractions. It may not be for the faint of heart, but if you love a good scare, this is an attraction worth checking out! Frightmares is running throughout most of October, with various times and dates (including Halloween night)!
All-in-all, October is a blast in our area. Whether you’re looking for family fun or a frightful night of scares, there is plenty to do. Just remember, always stay safe. You may want to consider a clove of garlic (just in case). Happy Halloween!
