EERIE-sistable Fall Fun

Spooky Events for Everyone in the Community

 

By Cheryl Mandell

 

Halloween is a time of frivolous fun for people of all ages, but the holiday as we know it, filled with candy and corn mazes, is quite a different spectacle from this spooky celebration’s ancient past. The origins of Halloween can be traced back nearly 2,000 years to the Celtic religious festival known as Samhain (pronounced “sow-win”) which honored the end of the harvest season and ushered in the “dark half of the year.” These ancient people believed the physical and spirit worlds were blurred during Samhain, and Celts would dress as animals and monsters to keep spirits and fairies at bay.

The holiday evolved over the ages, absorbing Christian and European influences, and eventually, good old American consumerism. Halloween as we know it today is celebrated with trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns and costume parties.

In our corner of Southwest Florida, warm, sunny Halloween looks a bit different than it does for most of the country that’s bracing for the long winter ahead. Temperature aside, there are still many events to bring the best Halloween thrills and chills to revelers young and old in our community. Here is just a sampling of eerie entertainment in store this spooky season.

 

Spooktacular Night at Estero Park

The annual Spooktacular Night at Estero Park is around the corner, and you’d be a GHOUL to miss this fantastic family event! Lee County Parks and Recreation’s fun, free Halloween celebration runs from 5 to 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, and features a trunk-or-treat, food trucks, and movie in the park.

Trunk-or-treating is a modern, fun and safe way for kids of all ages to enjoy the holiday. The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with food trucks from local vendors and a donation drive to benefit the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). For those interested in decorating their trunks and passing out treats during the event, you must register in advance. After the candy revelry, Estero Park will be showing Disney/Pixar’s “Monsters Inc.” (rated G) in the park starting at 7:15 p.m. Bring blankets or chairs for the ultimate viewing experience.

To register your vehicle to be a trunker for the trunk-or-treat, or for general information about this free family fun fest, visit www.leeparks.org/estero or call (239) 533-1470.

 

BOO-tanical Weekend at the Wonder Gardens

Looking to do something different to celebrate Halloween? Dress up and bring the family to the famous Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs for a BOO-tanical event you won’t soon forget!  There will be cool Halloween decorations and plenty of photo opportunities for the whole family. This unique event for guests of all ages includes family games and activities, face painting and special Wonder Gardens animal enrichment. Certain activities may be subject to additional fees, but the event is included with admission or membership.

One weekend only: Friday, Oct. 11 from 5– 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more, visit www.wondergardens.org.

 

Farmer Mike’s U-Pick 10th Annual Fall Festival 

Join in on the milestone celebration of the 10th annual fall festival at Farmer Mike’s! On weekends from September 28 through October 27,  both Farmer Mike’s U-Pick locations in Bonita Springs and Fort Myers will have spooky fun for everyone. Three different corn mazes await guests of all ages: a kids-only beginner maze, a space exploration-themed maze for the whole family, and an alien invasion haunted corn maze for the thrill-seekers. Tickets are available online only for all attractions this season, as there are a limited amount of tickets available each night to reduce wait times.

During festival hours, the N’Season Restaurant will be serving snacks and treats along with numerous vendors offering more food and fun.  There’s plenty of action for the kids: bounce houses and bounce pad, a sand and tire pit, pedal bikes and a track, a fun hay maze. Everyone will enjoy picking their own pumpkins right off the vine in the field, along with sunflowers galore.

Farmer Mike’s will be open during the week for pumpkin and sunflower picking. Festival activities are only open on the weekends. To book activities, visit www.farmermikesupick.com

 

 

Halloween Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular at Bell Tower Shops

Bell Tower Shops once again hosts their annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular on Saturday, Oct. 26, from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy a variety of entertainment, games, themed photo ops, inflatable ax throwing, visits from stilt walker Way Too Tall Torrie, a bounce house and much more. Stop by the car show in the parking lot near McGregor’s Public House, and stroll the artisan market throughout the center presented by Local Ladies Social Network.

Trick or treating will take place at participating retailers throughout the center. The event will also feature a variety of vendors with unique products and gifts, as well as a dance party in center court with a DJ.

Children are encouraged to wear costumes, and there will be a Facebook Halloween costume contest held during this event. Parents may post photos of their costumed children on the Bell Tower Facebook Spooktacular Event page for a chance to win a prize; one lucky winner will be notified on Oct. 29 via Facebook. This event is free; no pre-registration is required. To learn more about this and other upcoming events, visit belltowerfl.com/events.

 

Lakes Park Scarecrows in the Park and Fall Festival

The 14^th Annual Scarecrows in the Park and Fall Festival at Lakes Park is back! Stroll through the pumpkin patch, delight in bounce houses, hayrides, concessions and, of course, the Halloween Express train ride presented by the Southwest Florida Train Museum. The ever-popular Scarecrows in the Park will be exhibited October 11-31 throughout the Children’s Garden.

The theme of this year’s competition is “The Great Outdoors.”  All scarecrows will be decorated to depict the great outdoors — an animal, jogger, camper, spooky tree, lumberjack, fisherman … the possibilities are endless! Registered scarecrows will be displayed along the garden paths, and a team of judges will select prize winners on opening night, Oct. 11 from 5-6 p.m. People’s choice voting will continue throughout the two-week festival. 

For the past 14 years, the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation has organized Scarecrows in the Park as part of the Lakes Park Fall Festival. Proceeds from this event benefit park-enhancing projects and programs.  For information, visit lakespark.org/scarecrows-in-the-park-2024.