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Tag: DIY

Family-Friendly Halloween Activities Near Anna Maria

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:

Halloween

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

Trick or Treat

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

Relax on Anna Maria Island

It’s been a long day (week, month, year, etc.), and you’re craving some time to chill out. Coming to the crystal clear waters and powdery-sand beaches of Anna Maria Island is the perfect vacation to kick back and unwind. But, sometimes, you need to take the relaxation to the next level. Being intentional with your time-off or vacation to prioritize your zen, mental health, and wellness is paramount to making the most of your time on AMI. We’ve rounded up some local suggestions for all types of personalities and preferences to encourage relaxation after all the travel, planning, and preparing is over.

Quiet time at the beach

We’ll start with the obvious: There is nowhere more relaxing than the calm and beautiful beaches of Anna Maria Island. It’s ultimately why you planned a trip or moved here in the first place! Laying out, floating on the shoreline, escaping with a beach read, going shelling, and of course, catching a Sunset… Some of the simplest and best forms of self-care. All you need to do is head to the Gulf and our glorious AMI beaches.

Anna Maria Island

Zone in on a DIY-Home Project

Sometimes the only way for our brains and lives to slow down is to focus on a home project that requires your full attention for a bit. Maybe you’ve been thinking about adding a fun wallpaper to an accent room, adding a fresh coat of paint, building or putting together a new piece of furniture, or simply rearranging some bookshelves. While renovating the home may not be everyone’s idea of a relaxing day, simply knocking one item off your to-do list or wishlist can bring such a sense of relief. And, if you’d rather pass it off to the pros, our team of experts at A Paradise Home Maintenance will make it even more seamless! A win/win.

Get outside and get moving!

Take advantage of the outdoor adventures and advantages of the Gulf Coast. If you’re looking to get moving and seek a little bit of action or exercise, it’s always good to discover the Great Outdoors! Locally, there’s so much to do! Take a kayak tour, go for a bike ride, drop a line in and go fishing – the possibilities and benefits are endless!

Grab a drink with friends

Whether you’re traveling with a group, are a local with a flock of friends, or are heading out solo and want to socialize a bit, there are plenty of great watering-holes for whatever your speed! Kick your feet up, grab a cocktail or mocktail, keep your phone away, and enjoy the company of your crew. Being present really is the best present you can give yourself and the people around you.

Drinks

Treat Yourself

When in doubt, treat yourself. Sweeten up the deal with delicious desserts, shop til you drop and support a local small business, snag tickets to some nearby museums or entertainment, or book a luxurious spa day or just a treatment or two!

Anna Maria Island

Want to ensure maximum relaxation and take the stress out of your Anna Maria vacation or staycation? You can trust that our A Paradise vacation rentals are well-taken-care-of and you won’t get swindled into a scam. Our team of local experts are happy to help you find your dream rental or home or even help you with suggestions in the area! Give us a call (800-237-2252), and let us take care of you! You deserve it!

Photos from Pexels.com