Fall is upon us and although our tropical temperatures aren’t always the easiest giveaway to welcome the typically crisp season, Autumnal plans are fully underway here in the Anna Maria Island and Bradenton area. You can always do some DIY decorations to have a little bit of spooky fun, or make some plans to attend some community events!
There are many fun things to do this month so make the most of it because before you know it, the busy Holiday Season will be upon us! Here’s what’s going on in October on Anna Maria Island for all-ages:
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival: Weekends in October
Hunsader Farms in Bradenton, Florida, hosts its annual Pumpkin Festival every October. Floridians can flock to the farm for three weekends and enjoy fall festivities such as a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and hayrides. The festival includes exciting shows, live music, festive displays, a petting zoo, a pumpkin cannon, and a chainsaw sculptor. There really is so much to see at this storied annual event.
Information and directions HERE.
Anna Maria Elementary Fall Festival: October 22nd
The annual Anna Maria Elementary (AME) Fall Festival is an island Autumn staple, hosted by the AME PTO. From 4pm – 9pm at The Center on AMI (407 Magnolia Ave) on Saturday, October 22nd. There will be plenty of food, games, interactive fun for the kids, a haunted house and a good old-fashioned bake sale. This event is open to the public and they would love for all children to attend!
Trail of Treats: October 31st
The best way to start off your trick-or-treating night is at the Trail of Treats hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. The Trail of Treats has been an Anna Maria tradition for years, drawing locals and visitors from miles around. This family-friendly event is perfect for everyone from the youngest trick-or-treaters to the parents and grandparents as well. All visitors are welcome to wear their costumes and collect as much candy as they can.
Businesses contact the Chamber a couple of months before Halloween, and then the Chamber of Commerce releases a flyer with the participating businesses. There are participating businesses in all three cities on Anna Maria Island, and each business is in a safe and secure location so you don’t have to worry about your young kids running all over town to collect treats. Check-in at the chamber on October 31st at 3:30 p.m. for the costume contest (kids 0 – 12) and begin trick or treating at participating businesses around the island. It ends at 8:00 p.m.
Howl-O-Scream: Continuous, Special Dates
For our older readers and very brave souls: Venture to Tampa for this famously frightening event! Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream returns in full force, taking over the entire park with haunted houses, scare zones, sinister shows and more. Horror lives in every dark corner, including on Busch Gardens’ pulse-pounding thrill rides. Howl-O-Scream is bringing fear to the next level. Info and tickets HERE.
Photos from Pexels.com