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No Jackobury Halloween This Year

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2007

PLANT CITY - The city has big plans for Halloween, but they don't include a repeat of last year's Jackobury, which featured haunted trails and spooky special effects.

Jackobury drew more than 2,000 visitors and brought in about $20,000 at Urban Forest Park. City officials plan to use the 72-acre park west of Plant City Stadium in the future to help generate revenue for the Recreation and Parks Department. But this year's Halloween will not be one of them.

The city decided against another Jackobury as development continues on hiking trails, pavilions and picnic areas.

'The city engineer is not finished with surveying, path building and road construction in the Urban Forest Park,' said Jack Holland, recreation and parks director. 'Asking them to vacate the project to use the property for a Halloween event would be counterproductive.'
City Engineer Brett Gocka said there are safety concerns to consider as well.

'We have some debris piles, unfinished paths and the like,' Gocka said.

Eventually the Urban Forest Park will be used for many special events by the city, Holland said. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Halloween are possible times the park could be used for special events, he said. Just not this year, he said.

But that doesn't mean the city will be ignoring the season for trick or treating. During October, a number of Halloween events are scheduled at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 N. Dort St.

They include:

•A Halloween themed Kids Night Out for youngsters kindergarten through 12 years old is from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $6, or $5 if in costume. Cash prizes will be awarded for funniest, scariest and most original costumes. There will be dancing, and pizza and drinks will be provided.

•The Hallowscreams Teen Dance is from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 26 for youths 11 to 16, with a haunted house and costume contest. Recreation and parks officials said there would be pizza, drinks, candy and a D.J. spinning scary tunes. Tickets are $6, $5 for those in costume.

•A pumpkin-carving contest is from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 27. Contestants, kindergarten through fourth grade, can compete for a trophy. The event is free. Contestants must provide the pumpkin and cutting tools.

•The Planteen Haunted Carnival and Spook House is from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27. Tickets are $6, $5 for those in costume. It's open to youngsters in kindergarten through sixth grade. Activities will include haunted carnival games, a scream filled haunted house, and a cake walk and pinata to end the night.

'The Planteen events always a good turnout,' said Chris Washburn, the Planteen manager.

'We expect a good response again this year.'

For information about the Planteen Halloween events, call Washburn at (813) 659-4200, Ext. 4340.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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