Halloween started early this year, from the decorations at Walgreen’s, Target, Spirit Halloween stores, Party City and Walmart to the events around town. Probably the kookiest rave of the year is downtown St. Pete’s local Michael Jackson homage to Thriller. Put on your best Zombie face and join the MFA for their first annual Zombie Thriller Dance on Oct. 24. Rehearsals, led by St. Pete Zombie Jesse Miller, are at MFA every Thursday evening 6-7:30pm.
CosPlay Halloween Style
Halloween is one of the biggest adult celebrations of the year. Trending this year will be Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Black Panther and all the Marvel-ettes as well as the Star Wars gang and Game of Thrones. The Royal Family and the POTUS and First Lady will surely get lots of star treatment as well. For the kids, it’s all about Girl Power; ETSY had 170,000 queries this year about costumes.
But why not be creative with a unique outfit that fits your passion, from merKitty to astro-Nut? Get to the thrift shops early, like Goodwill, CASA and ?? and let your imagination run wild. For vintage, canvas ArtPool Gallery and Theatrical Fantasy Costumes. Get inspired from the Bachelorette and Real Wives of Orange County to make your cocktail dresses look ready for Halloween, armed with a fake Cosmo!
Pets get into the mix for Halloween as well. Check out Petco, Petsmart, Bark Life and other local pet boutiques for safe, kind and adorable outfits for Bowser and MeMeYouw.
Entertain In Spooky Style
Hosting a party is always fun, especially with a theme, be it rock n roll stars or under the sea. For centerpieces this year, skull planters are all the rage. Tarot cards are trending, so why not have a Ouija board and tarot card reader? Pick a color scheme (gray/black monochrome with grey concrete pumpkins), make a playlist and decorate with gag items from local party and dollar stores, or order from Oriental Trading Company.
Set up a candy and cupcake bar mixed in with scary critters, make pumpkin seed treats, pumpkin cornbread with chili and pumpkin spice lattes. A blue midori rum punch with dry ice and eyeball ice cubes cools off your little ghouls.
Halloween Outings
Tampa Bay has something for everyone – Guavaween, costume parades and haunted houses, bar costume parties and Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream or The Zoo at Lowry Park. Disney and Universal Studios make for a fun overnight for happy hauntings.
Bars/Galas:
Costume contests at local bars will stretch from Oct. 27 thru Halloween night. Best of show are the Daiquiri Shak, Caddy’s, Ricky T’s and other booze-worthy haunts, as well as the Halloween Costume Bar Crawl 10/20 at Yard of Ale and Club Sport’s 7th Annual “Pub-Crawl-O-Ween” Costume Pub Crawl 10/20 at downtown St. Pete.
Drake Night Halloween Costume party at The Bends 10/26
Starting at 9 is popular as is the Halloween Charity Gala at Kozuba Distillery 10/27 and ArtPools Halloween costume bash the same night. On Halloween Night, Caddy’s on Central’s hosts the ultimate party, a silent spooky disco and The Galley throws a WWF costume contest and party.
St. Pete Zombie Food Booze Crawl 10/19:
Family fun, food, live music and zombies at Albert Whitted Park Bring your kids after dark, to “truck-or-treat” from 20+ food trucks, wear a costume to enter the costume contest, and watch a zombie flash mob! Free.
Ghost Tours of St. Petersburg 10/19:
Ghost Tours of St. Petersburg: Get in the Halloween spirit with bone-chilling tales of wandering spirits, haunted mansions, phantom lovers, and age old curses on a Ghost Tour of downtown St. Petersburg. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday thru 11/14.
Tour departs from Sweet Divas Chocolate, 181 4th Ave. NE , St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Reservations required: www.ghosttour.com or 727-894 4678. http://www.ghosttour.net/stpetersburg.html
Novaween 10/20:
This Nova 535 adults-only party celebrates 12 years of Tricks and Treats starting at 9 pm. Costume contest, dancing, scary photobooth, DJ Fresh and entertainment by sexy fire goddess Maven Misbehavin, GoGo Dancers and much more! Full bar, food trucks.
Dia De Los Muertos 10/20
Between 5 – 11 pm, Dunedin’s Pioneer Park will be transformed into a “Day of the Dead” celebration featuring live music, face painting, folkloric arts and crafts and food provided by Casa Tina.
Preserve The Burg’s Movies in the Park 10/25:
Enjoy music then Hocus Pocus free in North Straub Park in downtown St. Pete. Bring a picnic or buy refreshments; bring a low chair or blanket.
Halloween Party 10/26 @ John’s Pass Seafood Festival:
Get ready to BOOgie in costume presented by Mad Beach Craft Brewing Company with food, drink and DJ Da Beav spinning the tunes.
Church By The Sea Trunk or Treat 10/26:
Enjoy, pony rides, petting zoo, popcorn, games, prizes, giveaways, kids costume contest and LOTS of candy! Free.
Children’s Costume Contest, Trick-or-Treating & Dancing Thriller Zombies 10/27:
Enjoy trick-or-treating, face painting, balloon artists and the John’s Pass Seafood Festival!
daSesto’s Masquerade Party 10/27:
Sophisticated ladies and gents, don your masks and costumes for the drinks, dancing, buffet, costume contest and more. Reserve your spot now (727) 209-2695.
Florida Botanical Gardens Pumpkin Fest 10/28:
Bring your own pumpkin to decorate or purchase one at the event for $5 and carve your funny face; tools provided. 1 pm – 4 pm.
Halloween Safety
Make sure your decorations aren’t in the path of trick-or-treaters and free of tripping hazards. Keep flammable materials away from fire and use holiday LED lights for your pumpkin, not candles. Make sure your family costume’s are safe and everyone can see clearly, especially with masks. Everyone should have a flashlight and stay together. Don’t eat candy until you get home and examine what is the treat bags.
Article by Nanette Wiser