Oh, it's on, folks. Halloween season has kicked off. Big time. (Wait, wasn't Labor Day, like, a minute ago?) Go ahead and flip though a local paper or online events calendars and you've got an overload of fall-time, harvest-y, Halloween-y festivities.
(We've even launched a special Halloween Section on our On The Town main page!)
Theme parks aside, here are five Halloween events and destinations that we feel will get you in the spirit. We experienced a few of them last year, but they promise to change things up to keep it "fresh" for 2013.
1. Appleton's Cafe
For the past 15 Halloweens, a local restaurant owner has been transforming her cafe into one of the freakiest places to eat in Central Florida.
"I love to scare people," smirked Tricia Rodriguez, who owns Appleton's Cafe in Lake Mary.
She starts buying decorations the day after Halloween for next year's Halloween. And we're not talking about a cheap-o black cat on a pumpkin with blinking "BOO" letters. Instead -- she goes for the kill (per se).
"I've had a father that had two kids under his arms that were both screaming, walking to the bathroom," she said.
That's because you're not safe en route to the bathroom door. In fact, last year, a guy was hanging himself near the ladies room, and psychotic-looking bloody clowns were chillin' near the men's room.
"A lot of people get freaked out by the clowns. There's about three of them back here," Rodriguez said.
Jennifer Taylor is one of the servers who admits she has no choice but to help her boss (and dear friend) with the decorations.
"When it first starts, we're not excited because you get to look at all the stuff that you have to put up," said Taylor (who was folding silverware in full costume). "But once it's up, it's pretty exciting."
We're heading back to Appleton's in a few weeks to check out the new additions, so tune in!
2. Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend
From former guests like John Landis and Verne Troyer (AKA "Mini Me"), to Shannen Doherty and "The Exorcist's" Linda Blair, Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend uses celebs as bait to lure you in. And guess what? It's working.
The convention is like Megacon for horror film-buffs. It has become one of the largest horror conventions in the nation, with more and more fans attending each year. While mingling with your favorite horror movie and TV stars, you can buy any collectible you can imagine from your choice of nearly 200 vendors and artists, take part in one of the largest Zombie Walks out there, get tattooed, and party ‘til you drop dead.
This year it's Oct. 25-27 at the DoubleTree at Universal.
Click here for the impressive list of celebrity guests.
3. A Petrified Forest
In the next few weeks, we're taking our cameras back to A Petrified Forest on State Road 436 in Altamonte Springs. I'm glad Chris de Leon is holding the camera because I'd probably end up throwing it in the air and running/ducking, depending on my particular reaction to an inevitable scare. This outdoor maze is only for the brave. No safety net of a building. You're in the forest encountering nightmarish scenarios.
This Halloween, experience the night-time terror of Central Florida's premier haunted scare trail. Within this Altamonte Springs haunted house, you will find over 85,000 square feet of sheer horror. Best of all, this mega-haunt is located right in the middle of our forest.
While at our outdoor Halloween festival, enjoy live bands, food, laser tag, backstage tours, and other surprises.
The haunted outdoor trail is not just for adults. Even your younger spooks will find something to entertain them. Outside the scare trail, they offer events your younger family members will enjoy. (Oct. 12 is the 6th Annual Kids Day).
This year's theme is "Museum of Mayhem." Be sure to catch our upcoming On The Town report. Click here for ticket info.
4. Boo at the Zoo
Scare trails are also making their return to the zoo. Even though you know the huge animals are well confined and won't be jumping out at you, it's that minute possibility of 'what if' that enhances the fright factor.
Welcome to the Land of Boo. Here's what we got from the Brevard Zoo's website: The Zoo’s annual fall event is its most attended fundraising enterprise of the year. During this year's Boo at the Zoo, guests can enjoy an evening of mystical wonderment as they travel throughout the Zoo. Enjoy a variety of fun Halloween activities, including trick or treating in a safe environment at treat stations sponsored by local businesses and organizations.
Experience a mystical show each evening, make crafts and dance at the ball in the Mystical Mansion, ride the Mystical Train, explore Professor Wormwood's Mystical Garden and for those who dare, prepare for a scare on the Mystical Haunted Trail.
This year, the event will be held during the following weekends:
October 11-13
October 18-20
October 25-27
5:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays / 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays
Last Admission is 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturday / 7 p.m. Sundays
5. Celebration Town Center Oktoberfest
Free stuff rocks.
What also rocks is not having to be scared out of your mind at every Halloween event. I mean, those poor little fall leaves (hey, we've got a few) and that crisp air can be overshadowed by Halloween. That's why this event will be a refreshing retreat.
Here's the info from their website:
October 25-26, Celebration Town Center transforms before your very eyes as the falling leaves of the season drop on Market Street in the Fall Festival known as Oktoberfest. Listen for the rustling of leaves, relax by the lakeside and rock your troubles away, and enjoy the live music with family and friends in this one-of-a-kind themed extravaganza.
On Friday, October 25 Oktoberfest will be celebrated in the old-world German tradition featuring the sounds of Dan Witucki & Heimatland Musikanten. Come join in on the interactive live show featuring everything from yodeling to crowd sing-a-long fun.
Then, come back on October 26 as Celebration Town Center welcomes a host of rock and roll entertainment for a night of “Rock”toberfest featuring The Micah Read Band and Lucy Iris.
Hop on a hayride, dance to terrific live music, paint a pumpkin, or just stroll and enjoy the crisp fall air and enjoy the great savings at the lakeside promenade.
Leaves fall daily at 7, 8, and 9 p.m.
Parking and admission are free.