The “Spooky Season” is upon us, here are five things to look forward to this season in Florida.
- Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, Orlando
This event runs from August to November and is one of the biggest Walt Disney World events during the year, as well as one of the largest food festivals in the world. There are over 30 marketplace booths all around the park, and will feature many celebrity chefs like Carla Hall, Art Smith, Jamie Deen, and Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro.
- Halloween Horror Nights, Orlando
Halloween Horror Nights is the biggest event of the season and has been going on for 26 years. This year the theme is 80s Slasher films and will include houses inspired by movies like Halloween, Chucky, and Poltergeist, as well as the hit Netflix Series, “Stranger Things”. Halloween Horror Nights runs from the beginning of September to November 1st, if you plan on going, get your tickets now and if you have the budget, get an express pass because the park gets packed very fast. On opening night this year, the Stranger Things line was 8 hours long. The top houses this year are Seeds of Extinction, Stranger Things, Scary Tales: Deadly Ever After, Carnival Graveyard, and Slaughter Sinema.
- Manatee Viewing, Multiple FL State Parks
During the fall, the sea’s most gentle creatures migrate to Florida’s waters and springs, to relax and “float on” for the rest of the year. Florida manatees are endangered and a big contributing factor to this are the boat propellers that injure them, sometimes fatally, and the majority of this happens in FL waters. Viewing manatees can help raise awareness about them and can educate people on how to care for them, especially boaters who are often on the water and may cross paths with these beautiful creatures. Some viewing spots in Florida are in Fort Myers, Fort Pierce, Apollo Beach, Cape Canaveral, and Orange City.
- Sweet Season Farm, Milton
Sweet Season Farm is located in Milton, one of Florida’s quieter cities. The event is filled with family fun for everyone of all ages. There is an 8-acre corn maze that visitors can navigate their way through, as well as hay rides, a cow train, beeline zip line, and many more fun activities. The farm also has plenty of locally grown food, a farm bakery, fresh squeezed lemonade, homemade caramel apples, roasted sweet corn, and snow cones. It’s good family fun that you won’t want to miss out on this fall season.
- Fantasy Fest, Key West
Fantasy Fest in Key West runs from October 19-28th and is a 10-day party for adults. It was started in 1979 by some locals and was created to bring tourists to the island during the fall season because it used to be very quiet around that time. This year’s theme is called, “Oh… The Games We Play”. People can dress up as their favorite game show host, board game, video game, etc. The Festival is now sponsored by Bud Light and takes place on the famous Duval Street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.