Beyond the haunt: 5 great Polk County Halloween events leading up to the big day
It happens the same month every year – things get scarier, darker, more sinister and sweeter, all at the same time.
No longer relegated to Oct. 31, Halloween has more recently become an almost month-long holiday and event, with haunted happenings going on throughout the month – and Halloween 2023 will be no exception.
So, if you’re looking for something to do — beyond the typical haunting — in the final week and a half before the actual Halloween, here are five ideas:
Halloween Bash: Lakeland’s Swan Brewing will host its free Halloween Bash starting 7 p.m., Oct. 28 at Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St. The night will feature music by the rock band Smokepoint, which covers classic to modern hits including songs by Journey, the Jonas Brothers, Motley Crue, Maroon 5, Styx, The Cars and The Weeknd. There will also be a variety of food, drinks and locally brewed craft beer for purchase, along with a “Best Costume” contest with a variety of “fantastic prizes” up for winners. For information, call 863-703-0472 or see www.swanbrewing.com.
Halloween Costume Contest & Paddle: For a more unusual dip into Halloween, a paddleboard Halloween-themed outing will take place Oct. 28 starting at 10 a.m. at the Lake Summit Park Boat Ramp, 640 W. Lake Summit Dr., Winter Haven. For beginning paddlers to advanced, there will be a 1.5-hour introductory class offered. Wear water-friendly clothes or costumes with sunglasses and/or hats. Arrive by 9:45 a.m., minimum age is 16. $35 if you need paddleboard equipment, $10 if you have your own, payable at the event. For information, 954-629-7828 or www.meetup.com/winter-haven-stand-up-paddleboarding/events/296585053
Balmoral Halloween Spooktacular: From 7 to 11 p.m., Oct. 28, Balmoral Bar & Grill will hold its free Halloween-themed event at its location, 124 Kenny Blvd., Haines City. For its spooky set, the establishment will have food, a Haunted House, prizes for the best children's and adults’ costumes, trick-or-treat buckets and music. For information, call 863-588-3097 or see www.balmoralbarandgrill.com/events-2/
Halloween Bash 2024: Galactic Invasion: Held in Lakeland’s Lakeside Village from 5 to 7 p.m., Oct. 27, this free Halloween event will feature a “Trick or Treat Trail,” where gusts can wander around Lakeside Village stores and restaurants while otherworldly space beings hand out surprise edible treats. Guests are encouraged to dress up in extraterrestrial costumes and join a deejay on the lawn for dancing underneath the October sky. There will also be games, stilt walkers, hula artists, cosmic-themed props and backgrounds and other out-of-this-world activities. For information, call 863-616-9360 or see www.shoplakesidevillage.com/events/halloween-bash-2024-galactic-invasion/
Bartow Halloween Parade & Carnival: The streets of downtown Bartow become ghastly from 4 to 10 p.m., Oct. 26, with a Halloween Parade beginning at 4 p.m. at Main Street and 1st Avenue and ends at Park Street near the Bartow Civic Center. The parade ends at Mosaic Park at about 5 p.m. when the Halloween Carnival begins with games, food trucks, rides and other fall fun activities. There will be a costume contest for store-bought and homemade costumes; Crickette Club’s cake walk; a drawing for $500, $250 and $100; bingo and other games and activities. For information, call 863-519-0508 or see www.bartowchamber.com/halloween
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Looking for a great Halloween event in Polk? Here are five ideas
