Halloween/Arts & Crafts Fairs/Fall Festivals

Fall Festival of Crafts Oct. 19 & 20

The Fall Festival of Crafts is at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 702 Valley Forge Blvd. in Sun City Center on Oct.  19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Oct. 20 at 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m

There will be a large variety of handmade items by more than 45 artists and craftsmen. You will have the opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping with gifts for everyone including your furry friends.

The Council of Catholic Women will have an assortment of breakfast and lunch items available for sale both days, and they will be hosting a bake sale.

For more information, call Lynn at 941-723-8431

Free Halloween Social at Palmetto Historical Park on Oct. 20

Palmetto Historical Park and Manatee County Agricultural Museum will be celebrating Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be trick-or-treating, crafts, games, face painting, and lots of other spooky happenings. 

Because 2017’s event was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma, the park and museum are looking forward to seeing friends, old and new. While in the park, you can visit Pixies and Pirates in the Carnegie Library and go on a Jungle Safari Adventure in the Ag Museum.  

A costume contest will take place at 5 p.m. Fabulous Fatimir will be telling fortunes. The Bag ʼo’ Bones Tat Shack will be tatting up visitors. Decorated buildings in

the park will be sponsored by the Ellenton-Parrish Lions Club, the North Manatee Kiwanis Club and the Manatee Riverside Rotary Club. 

Demetrio’s will be selling pizza and Alex’s Lemonade Stand will be raising funds for childhood cancer research. This family event is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, call 941-721-2034 or email agriculturalmuseum@manateeclerk.com. The park is at 515 10th Ave. W., Palmetto.

 This event is sponsored by Angelina “Angel” Colonneso – Manatee County Interim Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palmetto Historical Commission, Manatee County Agricultural Museum, Inc. and  the City of Palmetto.

Florida Railroad Museum’s Pumpkin Patch Express

Take a train ride to the Florida Railroad Museum’s Pumpkin Patch where kids can pick out their own pumpkin to take home. Lots of other activities are happening at the Pumpkin Patch including hay rides, an activity tent, a toy tent, a bounce house and much,  much more. Trains depart Parrish at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28.

You can even charter a caboose for your private party.

This event sold out last year, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance to guarantee a seat on the Pumpkin Patch Express. Tickets are on sale now by going to www.frrm.org. 

Haunted House and Fright Trail Oct. 26, 27, 31

The Masonic Park and Youth Camp, 18050 U.S. 301 S. in Wimauma is hosting a Haunted House and Fright Trail. The Haunted House is open to children of all ages. Wear your costume and receive an extra treat. No mask allowed in the Haunted House or on the Fright Trails.

The schedule is:

• Friday, Oct. 26, 6 to 10 p.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 27, 6 to 10 p.m.

• Wednesday, Oct. 31, 5 to 9 p.m.

Haunted House and Trails might be too intense for young children under the age of 13. Use parental discretion.

South Shore United Methodist Fall Festival Oct. 27

South Shore United Methodist Church invites you to their free community Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will host a free community Fall Festival with a trunk or treat, pumpkin patch, cake walk, bounce house, food trucks and much more. 

Everyone is invited. Be sure to bring cash for the food truck.

South Shore United Methodist Church is at 11525 Big Bend Road in Riverview. For more information, call 813-677-9482.

Riverview Chamber invites one and all to Trick or Treat Street Oct. 27

It’s the Oscars for the tween and under set, the highlight of the social calendar, when more than 3,000 children descend on Riverview High School later this month for the 30th Anniversary Trick or Treat Street.

A safe place for children of all ages to have fun and share in the tradition of Trick or Treating, the event is a partnership of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation and Riverview High School. 

This year’s event will be held at a new time — 2 to 6 p.m. — Saturday, Oct. 27, at Riverview High School at 11311 Boyette Road. 

The chamber is encouraging local churches, nonprofit organizations and businesses to participate by dressing up, decorating a booth and distribute candy or small toys to children of all ages. 

Marijean Reith, Team Reith – Re/Max Realty Unlimited and Jerry Rothstein, Keep I.T. Simple Computer Services, are co-chairing the event.

The Goblins and Ghouls costume contest, sponsored by Uptown Suites, is for children ages newborn to 15, and dogs. Contest winners and runner-ups will be competing for great prizes. A small entry fee applies. The Dog Costume Contest is being sponsored by Four Paws Veterinary Hospital with proceeds benefiting Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort, Inc. (C.A.R.E.).

Booth sponsors who enjoy dressing up, decorating their booths, distributing candy or small toys, and providing fun and free activities for children also vie for awards in several categories.

Event admission is free and $5 to park per carload. Unlimited play on children’s inflatables is $5. Riverview High School clubs will have additional games and activities for a small fee. Food vendors will also be on hand throughout the event.

For more information, visit www.RiverviewChamber.com or stop by the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce office inside the CenterState Bank building at 10101 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or call 813-234-5944 or email info@riverviewchamber.com. 

SCC CA Monster Mash dance Oct. 26

The goblins and ghosts will be rockin’ the Sun City Center Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center, on Friday, Oct. 26, for the Monster Mash dance. The hall will be fully decorated for the evening, and guests are encouraged to wear costumes (although not required). There will be four $50 prizes for costumes, including Best Costume, Most Creative, Funniest and Best Couple. Music will be provided by The Deleon Band, who have performed all over the world including Europe, Atlantic City and Lake Tahoe. Local performances include Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom and the Gasparilla Coronation Ball. They play a wide variety of dance styles from Top 40 to oldies, Latin and rock.  The BYOB event runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets for reserved seating (10 seats to a table) are $12 and are available at the SCC CA Kiosk in the Atrium building, off North Course Lane, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Timely Treasures fall sale

The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 Del Webb Blvd. W., in SCC, will be having its fall Timely Treasures Sale on Friday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to noon. Go find that “new to you” treasure. Whether you are looking for furniture, appliances, clothing, antiques, household items, holiday decor or sports, there will surely be something “special” that you’ll love. You may wish to take home some home-made baked goods as well.

Back by popular demand, premium pre-sale on Thursday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. For $10 you can beat the Friday morning crowds and get first chance at the bargains. Timely Treasures will also be serving lunch on Friday and the Friendship Circle will be selling their baked goods with all their proceeds going to missions. 

For more information, call 813-634-2539.

SCC Security Patrol Halloween open house Oct. 31

An event that has been over two years in the making will occur at the Security Patrol Building on Halloween Day, Oct. 31. That’s when the Sun City Center Security Patrol will open their headquarters to community residents for a scary SCC Patrol Open House. The party will be from 2 to 5 p.m., and there will be goody bags, along with homemade cookies and drinks for everyone. In addition, tickets will be on sale for their golf cart raffle and for the holiday quilts. Tickets will be available for “Late Nite Catechism,” an award winning, side-splitting one-woman comedy, that the patrol will bring to Sun City Center Community Hall on Jan. 19, 2019. And  yes, they will have patrol applications if you decide that you want to join over 800 of your neighbors and be a part of such a great organization.

The patrol building will be decorated for this event, so they suggest that you dress up in your favorite Halloween costume to get into the spirit of the holiday. Parking may be at a premium, and they encourage you to go in your golf cart if you can. Additional information on parking will be released in advance of the event. We would love for you to join the party.

MOPS annual bazaar Dec. 1

Vendors: Reserve your space now

The South Shore United Methodist Church, in conjunction with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) will host their Fourth annual Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at the church at 11525 Big Bend Road in Riverview.

South Shore Women’s Group will be one of many vendors, offering various craft items to benefit local and international missions.

Sponsored by MOPS, vendors who are interested in renting a booth at the bazaar are asked to email southshoremops@gmail.com to obtain an application.

Vendor booths are available in two sizes: 6 foot by 8 foot indoor space for $45, or 10 foot by 10 foot outdoor space for $30. Vendors should supply their own tables and chairs. 

Electrical outlets may be available upon request. Spaces will be assigned in order of applications received. Deadline for application is Nov. 9.

Open to the public, there is no admission charge and ample parking for customers. A vast array of holiday objects including clothing, jewelry, and other décor will be offered along with holiday treats. For more information, email southshoremops@gmail.com