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Fall brings gourds, festivals and fun

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2009

PLANT CITY - Halloween and fall-themed events are getting under way, including a pumpkin patch at First United Methodist Church, Unity in the Community's haunted maze and Cork Knights of Screams 5.

Here's a listing of select area events that celebrate fall or trick or treating:

•First United Methodist Church of Plant City's annual pumpkin patch is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 30 at the church, 303 N. Evers St. A variety of sizes of pumpkins and gourds are for sale, and families can have fun taking photos in the pumpkin patch. All proceeds from the event will go to the church's youth ministries. For information or to arrange for a large group, contact Brian Lawson at (813) 754-3519, ext. 24, or Youthmin@tampabay.rr.com.

•A haunted maze presented by Unity in the Community is set for 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Oct. 30 and 31 at 5408 Paul Buchman Highway, a half-mile north of Knights-Griffin Road. There will be three different paths through the maze; the event may not be suitable for small children and a waiting area will be available. Tickets are $5. Advance tickets are available at Sweetbay Supermarket, 205 W. Alexander St.; Brown's Wrecker Service, 206 Waller St.; Brown's Jewelers, 1705 James L. Redman Parkway; and Stingray Chevrolet, 2002 N. Frontage Road. For information, call Linda at (813) 752-2727 or Joyce at (813) 752-1275. Unity in the Community helps the needy in the Plant City area.

•Cork Knights of Screams 5 will be presented from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday through Oct. 31 at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for youths 12 and younger. The attraction is intense and may not be suitable for very young children. Proceeds will go the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department for youth programs and to the Cork-Knights Volunteer Fire Department for training and equipment. For information, call Washburn at (813) 659-4256, e-mail cwashburn@plantcitygov.com or go to www.corkknightsofscreams.org.

•Planteen Haunted Carnival is from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Planteen, 301 Dort St. Geared for children in prekindergarten through sixth grade, the annual event includes spooky carnival games, limbo contest, cake walk, costume contest and more. The cost for children will be $7 or $6 if in costume, and $5 for parents participating in the cake walk or touring the haunted house. The fee includes one visit to the Knights of Screams 5. For information, call Washburn at (813) 659-4256 or cwashburn @plantcitygov.com.

•Trinity United Methodist Church Main Campus, 402 W. English St., will have its third annual trunk or treat from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. The event offers trick or treating in a safe environment and costumes aren't required. There will be games, snacks, face-painting and prizes. For information, call (813) 752-9316.

•A fall festival is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at Springhead Elementary School, 3208 Nesmith Road, Plant City. Admission is free but there is a charge for food and games. Money raised will benefit the school's Parent Teacher Association.

•Children ages 3 to 12 in costume will be admitted free on Oct. 31 to Dinosaur World at Interstate 4 and Forbes Road. Park hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission for adults is $12.75; for seniors 60 and older it's $10.75. For information, call (813) 717-9865.

•A fall festival with free games, candy, food and live music will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at Calvary Fellowship Assembly of God, 1110 N. Gordon St., Plant City. For information, call (813) 752-5005

•Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, will have two Halloween events, one for children and the other for adults. From 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 31, the children's Halloween celebration will include free goodie bags and costume contest with prizes in scariest, most original, best of theme and funniest categories. The adults-only party from 6:30 to 11 p.m. includes live entertainment and prizes of wine for the costume contests. There is no admission charge for either event. Call (813) 752-9100.

•Bethany Baptist Church, 3409 Cork Road, Plant City, will have a free fall festival from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 that includes rides, games, food and fun.

•New Beginnings Church, 6125 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland, will have a free fall festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 featuring a dunking booth, games, prizes, drawings and more. For information, call Gary Jones at (813) 416-7849.

•Trunk or Treat will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at First United Methodist Church of Plant City, 303 N. Evers St. This year there will be 42 decorated cars where the children can safely go around collecting candy. The Christian rock band Nevaeh and 5 Acre also will be making a guest appearance. There also will be food and music. There is no charge for the candy, but some snacks, such as cotton candy, will be for sale. Proceeds will go to a new church playground. For information, call (813) 754-3519 or e-mail fumcpc@tampa bay.rr.com.

•Trunk or Treat is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in the rear parking lot at Eastside Baptist Church, 1318 E. Calhoun St., Plant City. The event will include candy, two bouncy houses, a hay ride and hot dog dinner, all without charge. For information, call (813) 754-2681.

•The Fisher family will host their annual haunted house walk-through from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 31 at their home, 4404 Castlebar Way, Valrico. Their theme this year will be Slaughter House. Donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit an area child in need of medical care. This year's recipient is Morgan Pierce of Plant City, who has neuroblastoma. For information, call Kellie Fisher at (813) 684-0516.

Dave Nicholson

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