After hurricanes, Halloween event planners hope to bring kids some normalcy (2024)

Published Oct. 22|Updated Oct. 22

As neighborhoods mop up after two hurricanes in the Tampa Bay area, many are trying to give kids a somewhat normal Halloween.

From events like this weekend’s Halloween on Central and the Riverwalk Trick or Treat, to options on Halloween night that use public parks and parking lots for trick-or-treating, there are plans in the works to get the candy flowing.

“We are all in need of a little bit of a break,” said Shore Acres resident Matt Thorn. He’s among the neighbors organizing plans for a trick-or-treat trail from unflooded houses near Denver Park, and they are seeking city permission for a special setup of tents, bounce houses and treat stations in the park.

In Feather Sound, a neighborhood just north of St. Petersburg near the Howard Frankland Bridge that saw a rare flooding event when Hurricane Helene’s storm surge hit, the streets are still piled with debris, making it difficult for children to safely walk around on Halloween night. After the issue was raised on a neighborhood Facebook page, Diana Mikhail, co-owner of the dental practice Feather Sound Smiles, offered their office parking lot to neighbors for a “trunk or treat” event for kids.

After hurricanes, Halloween event planners hope to bring kids some normalcy (1)

The cosmetic dental practice, located in the Waterview Echelon City Center apartment building near the Publix on Ulmerton Road and Carillon Parkway, got the building’s owner to close down Main Street to traffic so kids can collect candy around the parking lot.

“I just want to give them some normalcy and let them enjoy a day,” Mikhail said.

The Halloween on Central block party this Sunday, during which 22 blocks of downtown and central St. Petersburg are closed to traffic for a market, party and trick-or-treating, had to step up its planning in the midst of two hurricanes. But the event, which has grown quickly in popularity the past four years, saw a huge need, said EDGE district director Roger Curlin.

“I think people are wanting this more than they ever wanted it. We really need it as a community,” Curlin said. “But not just our residents but also for our businesses. So many of our small businesses have taken these two storms on the chin, and they really need the boost.”

This weekend brings some annual events that are expected to get larger crowds than usual as families try to give kids a taste of Halloween while their neighborhood is in shambles. There are also ones for adults in need of a break, too. Here’s a list.

Tampa Bay Halloween events for kids

Halloween on Central: More than 20 blocks of Central Avenue in St. Petersburg will be closed to traffic for a street party on Sunday with a costume contest, for both kids and dogs, as well as trick-or-treat stations, sidewalk chalk activities, food trucks, wiener dog races and a market of local vendors. It will run from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street to 31st Street along Central from noon to 5 p.m.

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After hurricanes, Halloween event planners hope to bring kids some normalcy (2)

Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat: Children in costumes will trick-or-treat along the Riverwalk and enjoy activities spread from Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park to Water Works Park. Free. 4-7 p.m. Saturday. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa. 813-221-1539.

Pinellas Park Treat Trail: Local businesses and community organizations will be set up in England Brothers Park on Halloween night to hand out candy to kids of all ages. There will also be children’s activities and concessions for sale. Free. 6 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 31). 5010 81st Ave. N., Pinellas Park.

Halloween Rock the Yacht: This 2.5-hour cruise is actually a floating Halloween party with two DJs, dancing and a top deck costume contest. The ship docks at 12:30 a.m. 21 and older only. $43. 10 p.m. Friday. Yacht StarShip, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-223-7999.

Halloween Pet Parade: Don Cesar Property Owners hosts the third annual pet parade with prizes for cutest, scariest, best pet/owner combo and best movie themed costumes. $10 pet entry. 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. Lazarillo Park, 224 DeBrazen Ave., St. Pete Beach.

Pumpkin Patch Express: Board a train for transportation to a 2.5-hour event with a hayride, centipede ride, games and crafts. Every child takes home a mini-pumpkin. $16.99-$37.99. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish. 941-776-0906.

Wesley Chapel Fall Festival and Carnival: The 20th annual festival with carnival rides, bounce houses, games, a pet costume contest, pumpkin patch, trunk or treat (Sunday only), live music, community performances, pumpkin photo stops, food trucks and a vendor market. $5; free admission for kids. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tampa Premium Outlets, 2398 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz. 813-909-8716.

Halloween Howl and Safety Fun Fest: Trick-or-treating is back on Main Street with costume contests for pets and people, DJ dancing, touch-a-truck, vendors, arts and crafts, face painting, food trucks and a showcase of Hernando County first responders including the Civilian Mounted Unit, K-9 officer units, SWAT team and the Drone Unit. Free. 4-8 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Brooksville, Main Street, Brooksville. 352-540-6409.

Tampa Halloween Fest: Dress the kids in costume for this indoor trick-or-treating experience with balloon art, crafts, temporary tattoos, character meet and greets and activities. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Westshore Plaza Mall, 250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa. 813-286-0790. eventbrite.com

HUBoween V: The fifth annual drive-thru Halloween haunt. $20-$25 per car. 6:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., New Port Richey. 727-855-4159.

Tampa Bay Halloween events for adults

St. Petersburg Official Halloween Bar Crawl: Dress in costume for this crawl with a costume contest, two or three free shots or drinks, Halloween swag and themed drink specials. $10.99-$24.99. 4-11 p.m. Saturday. Welcome to the Farm, 242 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-337-6791. eventbrite.com.

Ghoulish Gala: MOSI is transformed into an adult-only haunted wonderland with spectacular science shows, hair-raising experiments, a costume contest, candy and after hours exploration of the museum. $20-$30. 6-9 p.m. Saturday. Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-987-6325. mosi.org.

Halloween Bar Crawl: Put on a Halloween costume, grab your witch’s hat, Jack-o’-lantern and cauldron of candy, and get ready to drink-or-treat and boogie. $10-$15. 4-midnight Saturday. SpookEasy Lounge, 1909 N. 15th St., Tampa. 813-373-6452.

The Official Halloween Bar Crawl (St. Petersburg): Join hundreds of spooky characters for a bar crawl with a costume contest, up to three free drinks, stadium cups, bottle opener lanyards, food and drink specials and an after party. $10. 4 p.m-midnight Saturday. The One Night Stand, 149 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 612-460-0094. eventvesta.com.

The Official Halloween Bar Crawl (Tampa): Join hundreds of other partygoers for the seventh annual crawl with a costume contest for $1,000 in prizes. $10. 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday. James Joyce Irish Pub and Eatery, 1724 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa. 612-460-0094. eventvesta.com.

Halloween Pub Crawl: Haunt the streets in your most creative or terrifying costume on this crawl with a costume contest, social media showdown, digital photo frames and spooky vibes. $15-$25. 4:30-9 p.m. Saturday. Start Point, 514 N. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-223-6050.

After hurricanes, Halloween event planners hope to bring kids some normalcy (2024)
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