This year, Florida proves why it is a tourist trap once again. With the summer season finally at a close, some may expect the activity in Florida to tone down. However, this is not the case. The Tampa area has a load of spooky occasions and autumn events open to the public this year, from ghost tours to fall festivals.
Though Howl O Scream at Busch Gardens, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, and Scream-A-Geddon in Dade City are all still huge deals, they are not the only scary happenings in Florida this year. The family-fun entertainment center Laser Ops, located on West Waters Avenue, is offering Zombie Laser Tag sessions for 13 dollars. The center also has a 25 dollar eat-and-play deal, where customers can receive an hour of tactical laser tag, a fountain drink, and a personal pizza.
If running around isn’t someone’s cup of tea though, there’s other spooky options. The Tampa Theatre is holding the event “Nightmare on Franklin Street” for the seventh year in a row, where those seeking a fright can either go on 15 dollar ghost tours or attend showings of horror movies. Films being shown include the classics like “Psycho” and “The Mummy’s Tomb,” and recent horrors like “Us.”
For those who want to embrace the autumn aesthetic without fear, there are plenty of options. Though the Heights Fall Festival at Armature Works has unfortunately already passed, another fall festival still awaits students in the form of Fox Squirrel Corn Maze in Plant City. Available through the end of this weekend, students can experience an unlimited corn maze, hayrides, games, horse and pony rides, and more. The event also has pumpkins, kettle corn, preserves, honey, and baked goods for sale. Tickets are just over $10, and parking is free.
And finally, for those who want to spend a Halloween-themed evening with their family before the endless parties and fun of Oct. 31, Tampa Riverwalk Trick-Or-Treat is the event to attend. On Saturday, Oct. 26, from 4-7 p.m., students and their families are welcome to visit up to sixty stops between Water Works Park and McDill Park, getting free candy and treats along the way. At the end of the event, attendees are invited to view a screening of the “Corpse Bride.”
With loads of events and many more in the area, this year provides a great opportunity to take a break from the schoolwork at Steinbrenner and to have some Halloween fun. Have a spooky time and stay safe out there, Warriors!
Cat Johnson // Staff Writer
