eventful season?

HAPPENINGS Usually October is jam-packed with fall festivals and Halloween events. But the pandemic hasn’t canceled everything. BY ANDREA STETSON

anceled. Canceled. Canceled. That’s what most organizers of Southwest Florida’s fall festivals and Halloween events are saying this year. With concerns about COVID-19 and social distancing, everything from annual haunted houses to longtime hayrides, pumpkin patches and fall festivals have been shuttered.

“It’s a shame. It really, really is,” says Susan Pruzan, who usually helps organize the annual Kiwanis KidsFest at Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral.

This would have been the 23rd year of the event.

“I can’t wait until next year,” Susan says. “It’s just a nightmare this year.”

While this year’s calendar of fall events isn’t as packed as it normally is, there are some festivities that are going on, many in an abbreviated way, many with mask requirements and social distancing rules in place.

St. Monica’s Episcopal Church on Immokalee Road in Naples is hoping to salvage its annual Trunk or Treat Festival.

“We are hoping to with some parameters,” says Jennifer Flint, the parish administrator.

When this magazine went to print, the church didn’t have times or dates yet for the free annual festival, but Jennifer says they hope to have socially distanced activities.

Many have canceled altogether.

The Haunted History Tour by True Tours in downtown Fort Myers isn’t happening this year. The Muertos Monster Mash at Shangri-La Springs in Bonita Springs is canceled. Flamingo Island Flea Market took its annual Halloween Flamingo Fest off the calendar. Malloween at Coconut Point and Mall-O-Ween at Miromar Outlets are both nixed.

In Collier County, Boo at the Zoo is canceled and so is the annual Monster Mash at The Village Shops on Venetian Bay. North Naples Church canceled its yearly fall event.

Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park in Cape Coral canceled its trick-ortreating night but still plans to have its haunted hike, Frightmare on 78.

There will be no seventh annual Family Halloween Festival at the Koreshan State Park in Estero. But Park Manager Zach Lozano says he still hopes to have something for visitors.

“We are more than likely going to decorate,” Zach says. “It will be typical Halloween-type decorations in the settlement area. It’s just if people want to come to the park and want to take some photos.”

Some organizers are going virtual, like the annual Spooktacular on Fifth.

“It is possible to have a virtual costume contest,” says Heidi Fry, office manager for Fifth Avenue South. “They are playing around with the logistics. This is all new. We are trying.”

The event will still be October 31. Heidi recommends going to the website, fifthavenuesouth.com, for more information.

At the Collier Fairgrounds, plans for the annual haunted house and hayrides were in a holding pattern as of deadline.

“We are probably going to do some kind of drive-in movie for Halloween,” says Rhonda Ward, fair manager.

Rhonda says plans are to have a kid-friendly Halloween movie followed by a scary one for older kids and adults. She hopes to have some sort of fall festival but does not know if it would be possible. Rhonda suggests that people go to the website, collierfair.com, for the latest updates.

Events are also canceled in Charlotte County.

“We do not have any fall festivals or Halloween activities scheduled at this time due to COVID-19,” says Kathy Burnam, the marketing and events manager at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, a popular place for holiday events. “As a matter of fact, the city of Punta Gorda has publicly announced that there will not be an organized trick or treat in the residential area of downtown Punta Gorda as in all years past. Some homeowners will, of course, be offering candy to those who may trick or treat, but the city has discouraged any large gatherings.”

WHAT IS HAPPENING

LEE COUNTY

Farmer Mike’s Corn Mazes Farmer Mike’s U Pick is planning a family-friendly corn maze and a haunted corn maze with timed tickets. There’s also a field of sunflowers, paintball, pumpkin patch for photos and pumpkin picking. • Where: Farmer Mike’s U Pick, 26031 Morton Ave., Bonita Springs • When: The family maze and activities run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, October 7-31. The Haunted Maze is 7 to 11 p.m. October 16, 17, 24, 25, 30 and 31. • Cost: Prices will be listed online when available. All timed tickets for the mazes are online; note there are no onsite maze ticket sales. Details: 239-498-4576 or farmermikesupick.com

Frightmare on 78 Expect a haunted maze and haunted house, clowns, chain saws and more. This one’s usually scary — best for older children and adults. Gator Mike’s also has a zombie escape room and paintball, a zip line, rock climbing, gokarts, batting cages and mini golf. Masks are required. • Where: Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral • When: Starts at dark every Friday and Saturday throughout October and runs until 10:30 p.m. • Cost: $22 • Details: 239-574-4386 or gatormikes.com

36th Annual Haunted Walk Take a haunted hike through the woods that surround the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium in Fort Myers. “We are hoping with social distancing and masks it will be OK,” says Kaitlin Danks, director of operations. “We are trying to keep everything safe. There will be one way that everyone can walk. We will be following all CDC guidelines. Masks will be required.” • Where: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers • When: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. October 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30 and 31 • Cost: $15 (purchase online only) • Details: 239- 275-3435 or calusanature. org

Scarecrows in the Park Families, youth groups, nonprofits and businesses showcase handmade scarecrows with an American Hero theme in this walkthrough exhibit. There will also be a pumpkin patch with a photo op area. This area will be capacity-limited with a monitor at the gate to ensure social distancing. Pumpkins will be available for purchase. Hayrides will be limited to one family or group of up to eight at a time. Note: If you’d like to create a scarecrow entry, deadline is October 16. • Where: Children’s Garden at Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, south Fort Myers • When: Open during regular park hours of 7 a.m. to dusk October 24-31. Pumpkin patch and hayrides run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. October 17-18 and Oct 24-25. • Cost: Parking is $1 per hour or $5 per day. Hayrides and pumpkin purchase have extra charges. • Details: leegov.com/parks/parks/ lakespark

Spooktacular Halloween Cruises Take a Halloween pirate cruise aboard the 65-foot Pieces of Eight, a replica of a Spanish galleon. The family-friendly pirate cruises are planning Halloween-themed, interactive shows with stories of ghosts, ghouls, sea monsters and magic. Costume contests, prizes and games are also part of the fun, and the ship will be decked in Halloween decorations. On Halloween, kids can trick or treat by the docks. “We are definitely doing it,” says David Kastan, marketing manager. • Where: Leaves from Salty Sam’s Marina, 2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach • When: Cruises with costume contests, interactive shows and decorations are ongoing throughout October. Special Halloween events include: Rocky Horror Picture Show Cruise for adults only 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, October 16; Kids Halloween Party Cruise 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, October 31; and a Haunted Pirate Ship Masquerade Ball 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 31. • Cost:

Starts at $25 • Details: 239-765-7272 or floridapiratecruise.com

Horsey Halloween Fall Festival Horse Interaction Day becomes a fall festival with horses in costumes, photo ops and riding. There will be no lunch this year, rather water and sealed snacks. “We are happy that we can do something,” says owner Christina Sdrenka. “The kids all need it. They need a bit of a normal life.” Register online or by phone. No walkins. • Where: Saddlewood Horse Club, 16111 Saddlewood Lane, Cape Coral • When: Two separate times to accommodate guests and social distancing: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 24 • Cost: $25 • Details: 239-738-9300 or capehorses.com

Downtown Fall Large pumpkin sculptures by local artists are placed around downtown Fort Myers. Smaller carved pumpkins (also by local artists) sit in the windows of about 30 shops. There will be a pumpkin patch in the lot across from the Florida Repertory Theatre, where families can take photos and purchase pumpkins. Boards by the Hall of States will be painted with Halloween and fall scenes, and selfie stations will be set up for photo opportunities. “There will be all kinds of special treats,” says Lisa Sbuttoni, president and CEO of the River District Alliance Fort Myers. • Where: Downtown Fort Myers • When: See the sculptures throughout October. Pumpkin Patch is open October 17-25; times will be posted online when available. • Cost: Free admission; pumpkins for sale • Details: myriverdistrict.com

Fandom Fest Thanks to COVID-19, this one-day festival is now a monthlong occasion with costume contests, fall crafts, story times, trivia and other activities. There’s even grab-and-go craft kits families can pick up at Lee County libraries and follow along how-to guides online. “We noticed that San Diego Comic-Con did it all online, and it gave us some confidence that we can pull this off,” says AmyJane McWilliam, youth services coordinator for the Lee County Library System. “We see that there is a need for quality online content. It is all the Fandom Fest. Instead of a one-day festival, we are offering activities throughout the month of October. Normally our Fandom Fest is in December, but there are a lot of cancelations and we thought what a great way to celebrate in the fall. Because it all relates to comics, it is about literacy and that is what the library is all about. It’s going to be fun for everybody.” • Where: Online • When: Activities take place throughout October. For the costume contest, upload a photo October 1-24, then vote for a favorite costume October 25-31. New meetand-greet princesses every Saturday, new story time every Wednesday. • Cost: Free • Details: leelibrary.net/ fandomfest

COLLIER COUNTY

Spook-tacular Halloween Science Cruise Take a cruise and conduct some science experiments — live or via livestreaming. Five families can register to take the cruise in person. Everyone else can join on Pure Florida’s Facebook page, GoPureFL, to livestream the event. Families on board receive a sanitized package to do the experiments from their seats. Families participating online can find a materials list on the Facebook page or purchase the supplies in advance for $20. Glen Beitmen of Super Science & Amazing Art will do a socially distanced science show with handson experiments. “For the most part, this is completely free for families tuning in. It is mostly supplies you can have in your house,” says Merry Coffman the marketing and public relations director for Pure Florida. • Where: Leaves from Tin City, 1200 Fifth Ave. S., Naples • When: 10 a.m. Saturday, October 31 • Cost: $42 for adults, $21 for ages 2-12 to participate in person. Livestream is free. • Details: 239-263-4949 or purefl.com

Library Online The Collier County Public Library is taking events onto Facebook. There are not-so-scary stories about pumpkins, apples and fall, a new one every Friday at 10 a.m. A new scary story is posted 10 a.m. every Saturday. Spanish stories are posted at 10 a.m. every Thursday. “A huge, huge hit,” children’s librarian Sonja Williams says of the Spanish stories. A new fall craft is posted at 11 a.m. every Wednesday. • Where: Collier County Public Library’s Facebook page, @ colliercountylibrary • When: Throughout October • Cost: Free • Details: facebook.com/ colliercountylibrary

Family Halloween Monster Bash There’ll be dancing, music, games and treats. • Where: Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples • When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 16 • Cost: $3 • Details: 239-252-4180 or collierparks.com

Halloween Howl Enjoy tricks and treats, costume contest, games, bounce house and prizes. • Where: East Naples Community Park, 3500 Thomasson Drive, Naples • When: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 17 • Cost: $10 per family • Details: 239-252-4414 or collierparks.com

Candy Haunted House Creations Children use an assortment of candy, frosting and cookies to design a haunted candy house. Everything is included. Register by October 18. • Where: Vineyards Community Park, 6231 Arbor Blvd., Naples • When: 5 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, October 23 • Cost: $10 • Details: 239-252-4105 or collierparks.com

Halloween Event This event for ages 4-6 is designed to foster social interaction, a chance for children to make new friends. • Where: Immokalee South Park, 418 School Drive, Immokalee • When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday,

October 23 • Cost: $5 •

Details: 239-252-4677 or collierparks.com Trunk or Treat Halloween Event Part party, part trick-ortreating. Kids enjoy music, face painting, bounce houses, food, a costume contest and tons of spooky fun. “As of today those are all going to happen,” regional manager Aaron Hopkins says of the Collier parks events. “We are planning on hosting on all those events. Obviously with masks and social distancing and the numbers might not be as high.” • Where: Immokalee Community Park, 321 N. First St., Immokalee • When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 30 • Cost: $5 • Details: 239-252- 4449 or collierparks.com

Collier County Halloween Party This annual party features candy, bounce houses, hayrides, costume contest, games and prizes. • Where: North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road, North Naples • When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, October 30 • Cost: $5 • Details: 239-252-4000 or collierparks.com