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Sweet, Spooky Events Await For Halloween

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 18, 2008

While many Halloween attractions opt for chills and ghoulish thrills, a number of Pasco agencies and organizations are offering creative, family-oriented alternatives this year.

The Pirate Spooktacular, a presentation of the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex sponsored by the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25. Designed for children younger than 12, this event will feature bounce houses, games, a trick-or-treating area, and light refreshments.

"It's going to be a big party," said Cindy Szappan, recreation supervisor of the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex.

The gymnasium will be converted to an island, complete with a pirate's ship where children can trick-or-treat, receiving candy from puppets who hand it out through the ship's doors. "Walk the Plank" will be among the games; bean bag and ring tosses also will be featured.

Children can attend Pirate Spooktacular in costume and get temporary pirate tattoos.

"This is for younger kids," Szappan said, "and it's free."

The Calvary Assembly of God will host the 2008 Hallelujah Harvest, which runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Dade City church, 13544 U.S. 98 Bypass. This community event will feature games and inflatables, prize giveaways, music and free snacks that include candy, hot dogs and chips.

"This annual event is a safe, family alternative to Halloween, which we are promoting for families of all ages to come, have a fun and safe evening," said Lorna Schultz, church secretary.

At the event, the Calvary Assembly of God Revolution Youth Ministry will present the live drama "Living Hell" for children ages 13 and older.

"Everything at our event is totally free and open to the community," Schultz said.

The Halloween Howl, a presentation of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and Oct. 25 in downtown Zephyrhills.

This event will include a "hair-raising hayride"; a haunted house; carnival games; safe trick-or-treating; face painting; a train ride; a children's costume parade at 7 p.m.; inflatables; a cake walk; food; and free photo opportunities with Star Wars characters from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25, at Goin' Postal, 38439 Fifth Ave. (Main Street) in Zephyrhills.

"Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, Queen Amidala, a Stormtrooper, an X-Wing Fighter Pilot, Boba Fett, the evil Emperor Palpatine, and the dreaded villain Lord Darth Vader will all be there" M.J. Price, Goin' Postal president, said in a news release. "Each year, the staff of Goin' Postal dresses up and builds a themed set in order to add to the family-friendly fun in downtown Zephyrhills."

Also Friday and Oct. 25, the Salt Springs Alliance will host its annual Halloween in the Woods event from 6 to 10 p.m. at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park on Salt Springs Road behind Gulf View Square mall. New this year will be an expanded "Spooky Trail," face painting, a helicopter flight simulator, an Oct. 25 costume contest with prizes and two late-night trail runs Friday.

"Fun, food and family time together will be the highlight of this year's Halloween in the Woods at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park," said Linda Tracey, spokeswoman for the Salt Springs Alliance. "Park staff and volunteers have worked hard to create activities that appeal to people of all ages and interests."

HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES

A number of agencies and community organizations are planning Halloween events this year that emphasize family fun over spooky chills.

•The Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department will present the Pirate Spooktacular at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O'Lakes, from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25; call (813) 929-1220.

•The Calvary Assembly of God, 13544 U.S. 98 Bypass in Dade City, will present the 2008 Hallelujah Harvest from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Dade City church. Call (352) 567-2038 for details.

•The Halloween Howl, a presentation of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., will be presented from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and Oct. 25 in downtown Zephyrhills. For details, visit www.mainstreetzephyrhills.org, click on Event Schedule, scroll down to Halloween Howl, and click on the event flyer.

•The Salt Springs Alliance will host its annual Halloween in the Woods event from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Oct. 25 at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, on Salt Springs Road. General admission will be $2 for adults and $1 for children 12 and younger. Small additional fees will be charged for games, food and rides. No fee or registration will be required to enter the costume contest. Also featured at this event will be kiddie games, hayrides, pony rides, candy and the Kiddie Trail. Registration for the late-night trail run is $15. For information or to download a race registration form, visit www.saltspringsalliance.com or call (727) 816-1890.

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