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A-Haunting You Will Go

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By GEORGE WILKENS gwilkens@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2008

PLANT CITY - There's enough scare in the air to fill the balance of the month - and one night beyond Halloween.

There's a haunted house, a haunted trail, a ghost walk and for those not too scared to shell out $200 per couple, a "Monster Mash." In short, there's a lot going on for fall in Plant City.

Here's a rundown of some of the events:
Scary Time
While the fifth annual "Haunted Experience" comes with a warning that it is not designed for very young children, it offers something for just about all ages, said Linda Fuhrman, vice president of Unity in the Community, the charitable organization sponsor.

In response to last year's success - and customer enthusiasm - the event will be Oct. 29 through Nov. 1.

"Last year, people were calling us for two weeks after it was all over," Fuhrman said. "This time we decided to run it four days in a row and include the Saturday night after Halloween," she said.

The event will feature eight or more haunted rooms and a haunted forest covering 2.5 acres.

"It's perfectly safe. Everybody is escorted; nobody is just turned loose to run through," Fuhrman said.

Though the house tour is not recommended for very young children, there will be outdoor activities for those too timid to venture inside, Fuhrman said. A hot dog, soft drink and picture with Frankenstein's monster are all included with admission.

"The kids think that's pretty cool that they can have their picture taken with Frankenstein," said Fuhrman, who makes the free photos available for pickup later.

The event is at Fuhrman's house, 5408 Paul Buchman Highway, one-half mile north of Knights-Griffin Road. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m.

"We're hoping for a big crowd and making more room for more parking" Fuhrman said of the event that last year raised $4,000 for the charity. Signs will mark the turn, and volunteers with flashlights will direct vehicles across the railroad tracks to the property, she said.

Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for high school students and younger and free for children younger than 10 accompanied by an adult. Advance tickets providing a $2 discount are available at several Plant City businesses: Brown's Wrecker Service, 206 Waller St.; Sweetbay Supermarkets at 597 S. Wheeler St. and 205 W. Alexander St.; and Creative Flower Designs by Glenn, 116 W. Alsobrook St..
Unity in the Community provides food and other assistance to needy Plant City families.

Creepy Stuff Among Dinosaurs

"Cork Knights of Screams" is the clever name firefighters have given their primary fundraiser at Dinosaur World theme park.

The fourth annual Cork Knights Volunteer Fire Department benefit will be from 7 to 11 p.m. today through Oct. 31.

"Basically, it's a safe place for kids to go for Halloween," said Tony Huntley, chief of the 27-member department. "It's a haunted trail" through Dinosaur World, featuring five stretches, each with a different theme, he said.

"It's a good walk, so they get their money's worth," Huntley said, adding that over the years, customers have likened it to Halloween events at major theme parks.

Younger children might find it frightening, "But the way it's set up they can bypass a good portion of the scarier stuff and still go into the park with parents and enjoy some of the activities," including a lighted playground and concessions, Huntley said.

Admission is $12.75 for ages 13 and older and $9.75 for ages 3 to 12.

Dinosaur World is just off Interstate 4 at Branch Forbes Road, Exit 17.

Advance tickets provide a $3 discount and are available online at Corkknightsofscreams.com.

Advance discounted tickets are also available at the fire station, 5302 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, at Forbes Road next to Keel & Curley Winery.

Hoofing It With Spirits

For those who want to mix terror with a little exercise, there's the Hopewell Lantern Ghost Walk, a Halloween night benefit back for its second year.

The Oct. 31 walk starts and ends at McCall Park at Drane and Collins streets in downtown Plant City. Registration is from 6 to 6:45 p.m., the walk at 7.

In addition to the walk, the price includes ghost stories by members of Plant City Entertainment community theater group and, while supplies last, hot dogs and soft drinks. Additionally, there will be live musical entertainment in the park from 6 to 10 p.m.

Participants are asked to bring a flashlight or battery-powered lantern to help light the path.

"We had people do that last year to add light along pathways in the historical district," said Marsha Passmore, director of outreach for Hopewell Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, sponsor of the event. "It was lot of fun and it helps you to see the ghosts better."

The cost is $10 for ages 16 and older and $5 for ages 8 to 15. Proceeds benefit Unity in the Community.

"We don't make it so scary younger children can't come, if their parents think they're up to it," Passmore said of the walk of a little over a mile. Wear comfortable shoes, she adds.

Put On A Happy Face

The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce "Monster Mash" will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday at Walden Lake Golf and Country Club, 2001 Clubhouse Drive.

Costumes are encouraged for the event that is open to the public and will include food, beverages, musical entertainment, contests, prizes and drawings.

Admission is $100 per person, with required reservations available through the chamber, (813) 754-3707.

"This is the first time" for this Halloween event, chamber President Marion Smith said. "We just wanted to have a fun opportunity for members to get together."

Although costumes are optional, "Everybody I've talked to has said they're coming in a costume," Smith added.

There will be a costume contest, and those who bring a carved pumpkin can enter it in a separate competition. Disc jockey David Miles and his Dr Spin Productions will provide the music.

Other Seasonal Events

Other Halloween or fall festival events in the Plant City area include:

•Cork Elementary School, 3501 N. Cork Road, will have Treat Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Students should come dressed as their favorite storybook character.

•The Strawberry Basket, 1301 Wheeler St., Plant City, will have a craft festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The festival will feature vendors selling handmade crafts, such as jewelry, afghans, woodworking, purses and more. Call (813) 752-8994.

•First Baptist Church of Plant City, 503 N. Palmer St., will have its fall festival from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Festivities include lunch, candy, snow cones, popcorn, puppet show, pony rides, petting zoo, moon bounces, hayrides, live band, face painting and more. There will be a preschool area with age-appropriate games and candy. The event will be free except adult barbecue plates will cost $5. Children can register to win a Wii. South Florida Baptist Hospital will have flu shots available. Call (813) 752-4104.

•Bethany Baptist Church, 3409 N. Cork Road, Plant City, will host a community fall festival from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited to the free family event, which will feature food, indoor and outdoor games, hayrides, bounce houses and Christian fellowship. Call Debbie Lott at (813) 752-9209.

•Planteen Recreation Center, 301 N. Dort St., Plant City, will have a haunted carnival and spook walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, open to youngsters from kindergarten through sixth grade. The activities will include haunted carnival, cakewalk, limbo and prizes for the best, scariest and funniest costumes. Cost is $7 per child or $6 if in costume. Parents can attend for $3 per person. Call (813) 659-4200, ext. 4343.

•St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, 108 S. Warnell St., Plant City, will have its second annual All Hallow's Eve Christian Celebration from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Youths will dress up as biblical characters and share the Bible. A Trunk-or-Treat event will be held in the church parking lot.

•Turkey Creek First Baptist Church, 4915 W. Trapnell Road, Plant City, will have a fall festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 featuring games, crafts, fun, food and fellowship. Cost is $1 and one canned food item per person. Call the church office at (813) 752-7890.

•Shiloh Baptist Church and Shiloh School, 905 W. Terrace Drive, Plant City, will have the annual Trunk-or-Treat event from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29. All ages are welcome. Adults and children can go from trunk to trunk collecting candy and view the creatively decorated trunks. There will be moonwalks, hayrides, games and other activities at the campus off Paul Buchman Highway north of Interstate 4. Costumes may be worn but nothing scary. All games, rides and food will be free except hot dogs, french fries and drinks, which will cost 50 cents each. Call (813) 752-8345.

•Norman McLeod American Legion Post No. 26 will have a drive-through Halloween event from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Legion members will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters at the post at 2207 W. Baker St., east of Tomlin Middle School. The legion wants to provide a "safe area" where youngsters can come for a Halloween treat without leaving the car, a post spokesman said.

•East Thonotosassa Baptist Church, 12735 Knights-Griffin Road, will have its third annual Antioch Days on Nov. 1 on the church campus. Admission is free, and the celebration begins with a parade at 10 a.m. Antioch Days is a celebration of the community spirit and a tribute to early Florida pioneers. The festival includes food, crafts, games and fun. For information, call the church at (813) 924-6251 or e-mail pastorjim@etb church.org or go to www.etb church.org.

•Cork United Methodist Church, 4815 W. Sam Allen Road, Plant City, will hold a fall festival from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 1. In addition to food and music, there will be booths and activities for children in fifth grade and below. Children may their Halloween costumes. For information, call (813) 754-3233.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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