Here are some great ideas for Halloween fun in and around Walton County!
Arnett’s Gulfside Trail Rides Pumpkin Fest Oct. 15–16, 22–23
Time: 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Location: 316 S. County Road 393, Santa Rosa Beach
A family-friendly fall harvest event with pony rides, a jump house, hayrides, face painting and pumpkin painting. Meet the mini-horses and the mini-mule, Frank. Concession with hot dogs, cotton candy, drinks. $5.00 each event. or $20 include pony ride, hayride, unlimited jumps in the jump house, small pumpkin and feed cup to feed the horses. Call (850) 208-3114, or go to gulfsidetrailrides.com for more information.
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5th Annual Fall Festival Hayride and Fantasyland at Topsail Oct. 21 – 22
6 – 10 p.m.
Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Come to Topsail Hill State Park Fri. Oct. 21st and Sat. Oct. 22nd and get on board the spooky haunted hayride ready to take you on a ride to remember. Adults and older children can once again enjoy this narrated scary adventure. The cost is only $5 per person.
An expanded Fantasyland game area will feature carnival games with prizes, a costume spotlight, trick or treating, face painting, and more starting at only $1. Food and drinks will be available. All proceeds benefit The Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to support environmental education and conservation efforts at the park while promoting community involvement.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located just off Highway 98 on Scenic 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. ::MAP::
For more information, contact (850) 267-8330
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Howl*o*ween Pet Parade and Pumpkin Drop Oct. 21
Location: Fontville Press, Alys Beach
Date/Time: Fri., Oct. 21 – 4 – 6 p.m.
Bring your four legged friend to Fonville Press for the 5th annual Howl*O*Ween Pet Parade & Pumpkin Drop benefiting Alaqua Animal Refuge.
All sorts of fun to be had – pumpkin painting, face painting and a prize for the Best Owner & Dog Costume will be awarded. And, we’re excited to introduce the Pumpkin Drop this year!
A raffle for a goodie bag filled human and pet friendly treats will be held, with ALL proceeds going directly to Alaqua.
For more information about Alaqua Animal Refuge, please visit www.aarflorida.com
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Get Spooked on Jolee Island Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Location: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Head over to Jolee Island for four special nights with the unveiling a new ultimate Halloween experience. “Get Spooked on Jolee Island” will be held on October 21, 22, 28 and 29 from 6- 9 p.m.
“Get Spooked on Jolee Island” will include fun for families and children of all ages, beginning with a hayride from the Baytowne Marina to the private Jolee Island. Children and families will be able to stroll through Jolee Island’s harvest pumpkin patch and choose a pumpkin of their very own. A decorating and carving station will be close at hand for those who would like to bring their pumpkin to life.
As visitors arrive to Jolee Island they will receive a map of the island with land marks to show attractions along the island’s many trails. At the locations sweet treats and a spooktacular surprise will be given to guests. In addition, “Get Spooked” will include exciting events like face painting, ghost stories near a bonfire, movies under the stars, inflatable bounce houses and so much more.
“Get Spooked” will be open to the public and entry is $10 per child. Adults with paying child and children two and under can enter for free. For more information or details call 850.267.7000 or visit www.sandestin.com/events.
More festive events continue at Sandestin’s Village of Baytowne Wharf with Trick or Treat Street on Monday, October 31. Children are invited to enjoy the streets of The Village of Baytowne Wharf and visit merchants as they provide Halloween treats from 6- 8 p.m. This family friendly Halloween event will be complete with fireworks, music and spooky stories.
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Noche de los Muertos Costume Party Oct. 28
Location: Alys Beach at Caliza Pool
Time: 8–11:30 p.m.
An over-the-top adult costume party and contest at Caliza Pool in Alys Beach featuring DJ ROONIE G. Cash Bar. Costume contest. A portion of the proceeds with benefit Children’s Volunteer Health Network (www.cvhnkids.org). $40 for advanced online tickets through midnight, Oct. 27; $50 at the door. Purchase tickets online NOW at www.nochedelosmuertos.com. Ages 21 and up. $500 cash prize for Best Costume. Attendance is limited to 1000 guests.
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2nd Annual Halloweener Derby & Fundraiser Oct. 29
Location: Seaside Amphitheater
9 a.m. – 12 Noon (Registration at 8:30 a.m.)
Make your plans now to be in Seaside for the hilarious dachshund races featuring some of the areas top dogs, including our very own Bud! This fundraiser for 30A Radio and Alaqua Animal Refuge bring together our four legged friends for a day of fun in the sun. For more information, visit: http://www.halloweener.org
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Monster Paddle Poker Run on Destin Harbor Oct. 29
Get ready for the scariest SUP event in the Florida Panhandle. On Oct. 29, Gulf Coast Paddle Club, YOLO Board, and Harry T’s are hosting the Monster Paddle. You can paddle anything you want…SUP, kayak, canoe, outrigger, dragon boat, row boat, coffin…anything! Make all 5 stops within the Destin Harbor and get one poker hand at the post-run party! Find the 6th location and get a second hand! Get the highest ranked poker hand and win a huge prize pack including stays on the Destin Harbor, SUP equipment, restaurant gift certificates…and this year the SCARIEST trophy ever invented!
CHECK IN STARTS AT 9:15 a.m. Poker Run starts at 10:45 a.m. Registration includes the 2011 all new Monster Paddle Poker Run dry fit shirt. We will be located upstairs at Harry T’s during the event. Post race party upstairs. After the Poker Run, there will be a ghoulish BMX Style sprint race for all the fast demons! Extremely short course in front of Harry T’s. Limited to the first 25 racers that sign up at the 2011 Monster Paddle Poker Run. This race will be in 5 heats, top 2 from each heat make it to the finals. Great prizes for winner of the DEMON SPRINT! Winner takes all!
This is a family friendly event, all paddlers must have leashes for SUP and PFD. All other forms of vessels must have PFD on board.
Best costume wins a great prize too! So get your outfit ready, and make plans for a fun day on the Destin Harbor at Harry T’s! For more information, go to:
http://gulfcoastpaddleclub.ticketbud.com/2011-monster-paddle
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South Walton Witches ride again Oct. 31
Time: 7 a.m. departure
Where: Meet at Miss Lucille’s. Witches bike to Butler, hang there awhile and regroup at Hibiscus in Grayton Beach for brunch and raffle.
Why: To support Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN)
Entry fee – $15.00 Raffle tickets -$5.00
You are invited to attend the Witches Brew on Thursday, 10/27, 5-7 p.m. at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach to register and pay your entry fee. This will save time on Monday morning. We will also be collecting items to add to the raffle bag should anyone wish to donate something – gift certificate, Halloween décor, etc. Of course, please plan to stay for a spell!
A few pointers…..make sure your bike has been tuned up for the ride…if you have ever lost a chain, a hat, or a shoe for that matter, you know very well, we stop for no one with bike or wardrobe malfunctions! Make sure your hat is secured to your head and avoid dresses, high heel boots, things that make it impossible to ride. Also, lots of witches go to great lengths to not only pull together amazing costumes, but to also decorate their bikes…so get creative….go crazy!
Please feel free to spread the word…this ride grows every year…the witches have a lot of fun, the kids love it, and it is for a good cause!
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Seaside Halloween Oct. 31
Time: 4 – 6 p.m.
It’s time for ghosts, goblins and princesses to go door-to-door collecting candy from the Seaside merchants to feed their sugary appetites. Hop on the haunted hayride, hear spooky stories with the Seaside Repertory Theatre and do the monster mash with terrifying tunes from 30A Radio, our community radio station!
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Trick or Treat Street at Baytowne Wharf Oct. 31
Time: 6 – 8 p.m. Friends, fireworks, and frights! Come experience this family friendly Halloween event. Trick or treat through the Village streets and hang around for a spooktacular fireworks show. FREE. The Village of Baytowne Wharf, 9100 Baytowne Blvd., Miramar Beach. Call (850) 267- 8186 for more information.