Halloween to Haunt the Florida Keys
FLORIDA KEYS — Characteristically quirky throughout the year, the Florida Keys serve up fiendish frivolity for Halloween celebrants from mile marker 0 in Key West to Key Largo, the northernmost island in the chain.
Days and nights of ghoulish delight are planned for the annual Haunting of Fort Zachary Taylor, a Civil War–era fort beside Key West’s Atlantic Ocean shore. Live “shows” areset for Oct. 19-21, 25-26, 28 and 30-31, offering visitors a nightmarish celebration not suitable for mere mortals. Don your devilish attire Oct. 20 for the Vampires Ball beginning at 8 p.m. Tricks and treats for the little ones are planned for Kid’s Day, 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. Fort Taylor and its surrounding state park can be accessed from an entrance on Southard Street past Thomas Street. Kid’s Day entry is free with park admission. Admission to the Haunting is $13 per adult, $10 for military personnel, $8 for kids and free for children under age 5. Hours are 8-11 p.m. (midnight on Halloween). For details, visit www.hauntedkeywestfort.com.
Tens of thousands of revelers are expected in Key West during the island city’s annual Fantasy Fest masking and costuming celebration. For kids, the festival provides an eerie event Sunday, Oct. 28. The traditional Children’s Day features food, games, arts and crafts as well as a costume contest. The family fun takes place from noon to 5 p.m. in the island’s Bayview Park at Truman Avenue and Eisenhower Drive. Call 305-292-8912 for more information.
For some Middle Keys madness, step into Crane Point’s Haunted Hammock featuring ghosts, ghouls, pirates and haunted hayrides scheduled 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. The beautiful 63-acre Crane Point Hammock, located at mile marker (MM) 50.5 bayside in Marathon, takes a turn for the terrifying with spooky trails and lots of fun. Geared toward youngsters age 12 and under, the event is open to the public. Entry fee is $5 per person, with kids under age 6 admitted free. Visit www.cranepoint.net or call 305-743-3900.
Costumed goblins and ghouls can trick or treat Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Marathon’s outdoor Gulfside Village shopping plaza, 5800 Overseas Highway. The annual community Halloween party is open to the public from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with refreshments and treats for young children, parents and grandparents to enjoy.
Howl and squeal with delight during the free, on- and off-the-water excitement of Haunted Robbie’s (MM 77.5) set for Monday, Oct. 29. Islamorada’s family-friendly marina is to host a 6-8 p.m. spook-tacular for youthful costumed ghouls age 12 and under. Attractions include a kids’ corner, candy, fun, food and refreshments. Starting at 8 p.m. the excitement amps up for older souls, with harrowing canal rides, a scary maze haunted by ghostly pirates and Indians from neighboring Indian Key, food, wine tastings and more. In case of inclement weather, the event will take place Tuesday, Oct. 30. Visit www.robbies.com or call 305-664-8070.
Divers can earn prizes for subsea slicing during the annual Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest set for 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, hosted by Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Resort, MM 104 bayside in Key Largo. The contest is open to all certified scuba divers. Buddy teams receive a hollowed-out pumpkin that they turn into a creatively creepy jack-o-lantern. The fee is $85 per diver for the two-tank two-location dive, and teams are encouraged to sign up early because space is limited. For information, visit www.amoray.com or call Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Resort at 800-426-6729.
Florida Keys event calendar: www.fla-keys.com/calendarofevents/
Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS
No comments:
Post a Comment