Halloween Happenings in the Bloomingdale-Riverview Area

OUT OF THE DARK

Hillsborough County’s Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department invites everyone to enjoy a creeping, crawling morning while learning about nature's much-maligned critters at Camp Bayou’s Fall Open House. This event will be held Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the camp, 315 S. Tamiami Trail, Ruskin.

This year’s theme, Out of the Dark, highlights a variety of creatures, dispelling myths about some while revealing the need to respect others. Throughout the morning, there will be several activity tables, some with live critters to handle, such as millipedes and ant lions. Games and crafts also will be available. And, for a small fee, several alternative treats to typical Halloween sweets will be available.

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HALLOWEEN HORRIBLES PARADE

Little ghouls and goblins are invited to trick or treat around Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Dr., Brandon, during the 15th annual Hallloween Horribles Parade Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m.

In what's become a Brandon tradition, children ages 3 to 10, accompanied by an adult, will line up on the deck of Center Place, and then parade down a route lined with "treat stations" hosted by area clubs and businesses. There is no charge to attend but tickets are required. They are being handed out at Center Place.

TRICKS KICKS AND BOWL BASH

Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation will host a Halloween Tricks Kicks and Bowl Bash Oct. 26 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Brandon Skate Park, 5720 Providence Rd., Riverview.

The Halloween Tricks Kicks and Bowl Bash is an event to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Visitors are asked to donate a new toy to enter the skate park. The event will include food and drink and music. Skaters can participate in skate game contests including S.K.A.T.E, 1-Up, a Stacks and Cone Derby and a best costumed trick contest. Call 813-744 5319.

HALLOWEEN PET PARTY

Dress your pet in costume and stop by PetSupermarket at 845 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, for the Halloween Pet Party Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be giveaways, specials, a drawing for a $100 gift card or a year's supply of pet food and a pet costume content. Registration for the costume contest runs from 1:30 to 1:55 p.m. and the contest begins at 2 p.m.

HALLOWEEN IN THE HALLS

The Village Family Foundation will present Halloween in the Halls Oct. 27 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at The Village Early Learning Center, 3741 Canoga Park Dr. in Brandon.

The admission fee is a $5 donation per family that will go toward future VFF initiatives. There will be a haunted room along with plenty of games, trick-or-treating and food.

RUN IN YOUR HALLOWEEN COSTUME

Runners of all ages and abilities are encouraged to don their most outrageous Halloween costumes and participate in the third annual Make Them Smile...Give Them Hope Zach Tucker Memorial 5K Run Saturday, Oct. 27, starting at 8 a.m.

The events, which will include a 5K run and a 1-mile fun run, will begin at Lithia Springs Elementary School, 4332 Lynx Paw Trail in Valrico, and take runners through the River Hills community. The race is open all levels of participants from the serious runner to casual walkers. Entry fees for the memorial run are $30 the day of the event. Visit the Giving Hope Through Faith Foundation's website.

TRUNK OR TREAT EVENTS

St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Rd., Brandon, will host a Trunk or Treat safe Halloween alternative Sunday, Oct. 28 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Church members will decorate their car trunks and hand out candy in the parking lot. Throughout the night there will be music, fun and games for all ages.

St. Stephen Catholic School, 10424 Saint Stephen Circle, Riverview, off Boyette Road, will host a Trunk or Treat event Friday, Oct. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the school parking lot. Children are invited to wear costumes but no monsters, weapons or scary masks.

South Shore United Methodist Church, 11525 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview, will host its second annual Trunk or Treat event Oct. 28 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

The event will feature car trunks full of Halloween scenes, the chance for little ones to get in some early trick-or-treating, movies on the lawn and a even a haunted trail that the whole family. Car enthusiasts will also have the chance to indulge in some eye candy by checking out the professionally detailed cars that will be a part of the Trunk or Treat car show. The movies on the lawn will kick off with "Scared Shrekless" at 6:20 p.m. and "The Goonies" at 6:45 p.m. Those who plan on attending are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.

Grace Community United Methodist Church at FishHawk, 5708 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Lithia, will host a Trunk or Treat Sunday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. Bring your own pumpkin to decorate and bags for children to collect their treats.

IMAGES OF FRIGHT

The South Shore Symphony Orchestra will perform "Images of Fright" Sunday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. at The Regent, 6437 Watson Rd., Riverview.

A symphonic array of ghosts, goblins, dancing skeletons, murderous trolls, wild witches and other nightmarish creations will appear in this concert conducted by Dr. Susan Bailey Robinson. The program includes Charles Gounod’s "Funeral March of a Marionette," which Alfred Hitchcock liked well enough to borrow for his TV theme music; "March to the Scaffold" and "Witches Sabbath" from Hector Berlioz’ "Sinfonie Fantastique;" Paul Dukas’ "Sorcerer's Apprentice," which Disney put to use in "Fantasia;" "Masquerade Suite" by Khachaturian, a dance once banned in England for being decadent; "Danse Macabre" from the pen of Saint-Saens; and Mussorgsky’s "Night on Bald Mountain." Tickets are $10.

FALL FESTIVALS

Hawthorne Village Retirement Community, 851 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon, will host a Fall Festival Friday, Oct. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The free event will feature treats, face painting, pictures in the pumpkin patch, a pumpkin-carving contest and hot dogs.

Kid's Community College's South Campus, 10030 Mathog Rd., Riverview, will host its annual Cougar Classic 5K Race along with a fall festival Saturday, Oct. 27.

The event will include a 5k run and 1-mile family fun walk, a 70-foot monster inflatable obstacle course, arts and crafts, a fall planting station where kids can plant their own seeds, a pumpkin-carving contest, a raffle, a corn hole-throwing contest, a cake walk, music, face painting and kids' tattoos, vendor booths and classic kids' games like a sack race and ring toss. Chick-fil-A will be on hand with food for the event. Registration opens at 7:15 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for students. Children 4 years and younger are free.

South Bay Church, 13498 U.S. 301 S., Riverview, will host a Family Fall Festival Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The event will include free games, activities and candy, food vendors and a pumpkin patch. Children are invited to wear non-scary costumes and pick up treats from booths at the festival. There will be a free outdoor showing of "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" at 8 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs.

R&R Ranch, 9805 Bryant Rd., Lithia, will host its annual Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be pony rides, hay rides, cart rides, games, a bouncy house, face painting and more. The cost is $10 for kids and $2 for adults, with a portion of proceeds going to a scholarship fund.

First United Methodist Church of Brandon, 121 N. Knights Ave., Brandon, will host its fourth annual Fall Festival Sunday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the church courtyard.

Church members will host Trunk-N-Treat, a wholesome Halloween alternative featuring decorated car trunks filled with candy and other treats. Costumes are encouraged, except for those that may be scary, evil or offensive to others. Also on tap for the younger set are crafts and games of all kinds as well as inflatables, music, face painting and hayrides. In addition, children and adults alike are welcome to enjoy complimentary grilled hot dogs and hamburgers.

AFTER-DARK PARTY

E.G. Simmons Regional Park, 2401 19th Ave. N.W., in Ruskin, will host an After-Dark Party Saturday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 11 p.m.

It costs $2 per vehicle to enter the park. A kids' hayride costs $1 and a tour of the haunted trail is $5. There also will be games, a costume contest for kids and pets.

HOWL-O-WEEN YAPPY HOUR

WHERE/WHEN: Brandon Lakes Animal Hospital, 6151 Delancey Station St., Riverview, will host a Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour at the Winthrop Town Centre courtyard Oct. 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

WHY GO: Pets and owners are invited to play and mingle. There will be treats for pets in costumes  The event is free but donations will be accepted for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES FOR CANINES

The Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department will host a Halloween Costume Contest for dogs Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Mango Dog Park, 11717 Clay Pit Road in Seffner.

A pee-wee contest for dogs 10 pounds and under begins at 4 p.m. A small dog contest begins at 4:30 p.m. And a big dog contest takes place at 5:15 p.m. Ribbons will be given for the best costumes in cutest, funniest, most original and scariest categories. A special treat bag will be available for all dogs in costume.

HAY RIDES

Wolfe's Produce Market, 6005 U.S. 301 S., at the southeast corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and U.S. 301 in Riverview, will offer hay rides Friday, Oct. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Kids are invited to dress in costume and get free candy while parents explore the market's pumpkin patch and harvest decorations. The cost is $4 per person or $7 for two.

HALLOWEEN BASH

The Beer Shed, 11222 Casa Loma Dr., Riverview, will host a Halloween Bash and Jam Oct. 27 starting at 2 p.m.

There will be costume contests and music by Shamus, Josh Lamkin and Automatic Heat wth Nalani Rothrock, Port to Starboard, 3 Cats and a Hat, Ultra-Cool and Stoic.

HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR ADULTS

The Mulligans Pub, 11375 Big Bend Rd., Riverview,will host a Halloween Party and Pong Tournament Friday, Oct. 26 at 9 p.m.

In addition to the pong tournament (your drink of choice), there will be a Halloween costume contest at 11:30 p.m. The winning team of the pong tournament will receive two $50 gift cards to TMP. The winner of the costume contest will receive a 10-day/nine-night trip to Mexico with companion airfare. The pub also will offer $2 jello shots and $2.50 Don Q Rum.

PALLBEARERS BALL

The Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Dr., Sun City Center, along with Mike and Yvonne Langjahr, will host the annual Pallbearers Ball and Halloween Costume Party Friday, Oct. 26 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Enjoy food, drinks, beer, spooky festivities and creepy company, all for just $10 and one canned food item for Lord's Lighthouse Ministry Food Pantry. Prizes will be awarded for Most Original Costume, Most Creative, Scariest Costume and Best Couple's Costume.

BENEFIT HALLOWEEN PARTY

S & S Tacos/Pizzas & Stuff, 10664 U.S. 301 S., Riverview, will host its first Halloween Party to raise funds for Hand to Hope.

Adults and children are invited to come in costume. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids and includes and an adult beverage. There will be a 50/50 drawing, raffle and a costume contest with prizes.

HALLOWEEN NINJANIGHT

Sidekicks Family Martial Arts Centers, 16633 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia, will host a Halloween NinjaNight FishHawk this Friday, Oct. 26 from 7 to 11 p.m.

This spooktacular event will include trick or treating safety tips, games and prizes, a costume contest, and pizza and drinks. There will be plenty of organized games, arts and crafts, food and snacks, along with an exciting kids movie. The event is for children age 4 to 13. Register at http://www.NinjaNightFishHawk.com/.

KARAOKE COSTUME PARTY

Sumatra Bistro, 1602 Oakfield Dr., Brandon, will host a Karaoke Costume Party Sunday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. There will be a cash prize for the best performance. Call 813-655-6200.

FURTHER AWAY:

MICKEY'S NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY

Little ghouls and goblins are invited to Disney World's Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Guests are invited to dress in their Halloween costumes for trick or treating. There also will be pre-parade entertainment on Main Street U.S.A., a Not-So-Scary Street Jam, Headless Horseman races and the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade. The party takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 28, 30 and 31.

ZOOBOO

Lowry Park in Tampa will host its annual ZooBoo Oct. 26-28 starting at 7 p.m. The 14th annual event will feature a Spooky Fun Fair, Creepy Crawlers Lane, Little Beasties Bungalow, Spooky Species, Wake the Dead and Tangled Terror.

HOWL-O-SCREAM

Busch Gardens will host its 13th annual Howl-O-Scream Oct. 26 and 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event features a variety of spooky rides, entertainment and tours of haunted hourses including "Dark Side of the Garden's Gate" and "Unlock the Fear Inside."

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

Universal Orlando Resort is offering Halloween Horror Nights Oct. 26 and 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring frightful rides, scare zones, haunted houses and live shows.

GUPPYWEEN

Guppyween at the Florida Aquarium takes place Oct. 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. Kids will be able to trick or treat throughout the aquarium as well as take a ride on the Creatures of the Deep Boat Cruise.

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