A month of thrills and chills

As children, Halloween was all about having the coolest costume and getting candy. As we get older and have more responsibilities, it becomes harder and harder to enjoy the holiday.

“Halloween as a kid was like a sugar rush, now it’s like eating your veggies on Halloween.” Said Katelyn Waldron, a senior majoring in public health, who has had other obligations for the last two years on Halloween. 

Responsibilities aren’t the only thing preventing Halloween from being what it used to. Frances De Leon talked about how it’s not as acceptable to know on people’s doors asking for candy as a 20-something year old.

“I would love to go trick or treating, but it would be creepy and weird,” De Leon said. Because of that, the holiday isn’t the same as it was before.

Jake Dechant, a senior majoring in biomedical sciences said, “When you’re younger there’s a lot more hype, and as you get older the excitement isn’t there.” 

Although trick or treating may not be an option, there are other things to do on and leading up to Halloween as young adults. The Tampa Bay area has many Halloween-related events going on throughout this month. From haunted houses to scary movie marathons, there’s something to get even college students ready for the scariest night of the year. 

 

A Nightmare On Franklin Street Series

On Oct. 23, The Tampa Theater kicks off nine nights of spooky programming and events as part of A Nightmare On Franklin Street Series. There will be screenings of horror movies like “The Conjuring,” “Nightmare Before Christmas” and “An American Werewolf in London.” 

The Late-Night, Lights-Off Ghost Tour will show you the spookiest places in the historic theater on Oct. 23 at 11:30 p.m. On Oct. 29, there will be a live discussion with actress Linda Blair before a screening of her breakout film, “The Exorcist.” Visit
tampatheatre.org for tickets and more information.

 

Howl-O-Ween: Tricks & Treats

If you have pets that want to join your Halloween fun, they can at Howl-O-Ween, a pet-centered event hosted at Le Meridien Tampa while supporting the Animal Coalition of Tampa. 

The event, which will take place Oct. 25.  will include, multiple activities like giveaways, live entertainment, pet photography and doggie fun zones.  There will also be a costume contest where you can dress your pet up for a chance to win awards such as spookiest or funniest costume. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com.

 

Scream-A-Geddon

On select nights until Nov. 1, this new horror park in Tampa will feature six attractions spread over 60 acres of forest, including doomed souls and frightening sights. Pandemic is an interactive attraction where you’re at risk of being grabbed, held back and separated from your friends. 

The Cursed Hayride takes you on an escape from an immortal town, where its residents want to escape torture by stealing your soul. Dead Woods guides you through a corner of the woods occupied by a family known as the Tates, which has resided there for generations. It’s up to you to find a way off their haunted property. For tickets and additional information, visit screamageddon.com.

 

Lakeland ZombieFest 

On Oct. 16-17, ZombieFest will come to town to trap you in the middle of zombie-flooded streets. Playing as a survivor, you are meant to experience being in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. There will be four scare zones designed to terrify . For more information, visit
lakelandzombiefest.com.

 

Guavaween 2015: Apocalypse 

A popular Latin-inspired Halloween festival, the 30th annual Guavaween will be held Oct. 24 at
The Cuban Club in Ybor. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their best Halloween threads and participate in Guavaween’s famous costume contest for the chance to win $1,000. If costumes aren’t up your alley, there will be live music, street performers, burlesque performances and more beginning at 6 p.m. For tickets, visit
guavaweentampa.com.

 

Howl-O-Scream

On select nights from Sept. 25 to Oct. 31, Busch Gardens will feature seven haunted houses including their newest house, “Unearthed Scarlett’s Revenge.” 

The event will feature a show called Fiends, with various creatures and Frankenstein’s nurses together in a deadly dance party. Along with the spooky extras, Busch Gardens will have select rides open including Falcon’s Fury, SheiKra and Cheetah Hunt. For tickets, visit seaworldparks.com.