Spirits of the past will be calling soon at Little Manatee River State Park
By LOIS KINDLE
The Little Manatee River State Park will host Spirits of the River from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 26. “It’s a unique spin on a traditional Halloween-themed event that gives everyone an opportunity to spend time enjoying the park’s natural resources and learning about the area’s history,” said Kate Smithson, park services specialist.
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER STATE PARK PHOTO
An apparition appears during last year’s Spirits of the River Halloween-themed event at Little Manatee River State Park. This year’s spooky celebration will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26.
Spirits of the River will include spooky, guided tours of a haunted moonshiner’s cabin on the river, a campfire gathering for roasting s’mores and enjoying food and drinks, tram rides through the campground after dark and live music by Gator Nate, a one-man-band, guitarist and drummer known for his funky, Florida folk rock.
The cost, which includes park admission, is $5 per person for teens ages 13 and older and $2 for kids ages 6 to 12. Children younger than age 6 get in free.
Food, snacks, s’more kits, beer and wine will be available for purchase. All proceeds will go to the Friends of the Little River Manatee State Park for funding future park programs and events.
The music, food and campfire gathering will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. The haunted cabin tours and tram start around 7 p.m. (after dark) and end at 10. Costumes for the kids are optional, and parental discretion is advised for the viewing of the haunted cabin by young children.
Last year’s event attendance was 600.
For more information, call 813-671-5005.