Halloween Hauntings 2011

Halloween events taking place in Destin/Fort Walton Beach and South Walton include the following. Area codes are 850.

Pumpkin Patch

The Butler Elementary pumpkin patch will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be 2,000 pumpkins of all shapes and sizes to choose from, including Wee Bee Littles, Minis and Super Jumbos. The cost will range from 50 cents to $50 depending on the size of pumpkin, but most will sell for $10 to $20. Proceeds will benefit the PTO.

Boo at the Zoo

Enjoy events, rides, and games, such as an out of this world U.F.O. maze, a spooky freak show, haunted zoo, and a zombie train ride, at Boo at the Zoo from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Gulf Breeze Zoo. For the younger ghouls and goblins, visit trick or treat trail from 1-6 p.m. and trick or treat with the animals. Also, face painting, crafts, games and maze. Call 932-2229.

Haunted House

The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge presents their Sixth Annual Haunted House beginning at 7 p.m. Oct. 29-31 at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach. Not recommended for small children. Admission is $8. 

Pumpkin Festival

Bring the family and celebrate fall at a true horse ranch from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October at Gulfside Trail Rides, 613 County Rd. 393 S. in Santa Rosa Beach. Festival includes face painting, pumpkin painting, sand art, pony rides and hayrides, and hotdogs, cheese nachos, chips, cotton candy and beverages. Call 850-208-3114.

Get Spooked on Jolee Island

From festive fall pumpkins and hayrides to a pirate themed island trail, Jolee Island at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is the place to be from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 29.

Visitors will receive a map with landmarks to visit along the island’s outer trails. At the locations, scavenger hunt clues will be given and sweet treats for braving the dark and scary trails. Cost is $10/kids and adults with paying child and children 2 and under enter free. Call 267-7000.

JayceesHaunted House

The Fort Walton Beach Jaycees Haunted House will be held from 7-11 p.m. Oct. 29-31 at Joe’s Crab Shack on U.S. in Destin. Kid’s Day is from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31. Proceeds go toward Give-A-Kid-A-Christmas and Thanksgiving baskets.

A Peanuts Halloween

Bring the kids and have a Peanuts Halloween as the Great Pumpkin comes to Bass Pro Shops with free kids’ activities. Events include trick-or-treating from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 31. Look for the orange and black balloons to mark in-store locations that are passing out treats. Also, decorate a trick-or-treat bag from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 31. Color a wood pumpkin from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30.

Haunted History Tours

The City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center presents the Fourth Annual Haunted History Tours based on authentic local history, folk stories and spooky downtown historic sites with tours beginning at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Early sign-up and ticket purchase is encouraged. Pre-sale tickets are available during regular museum hours at the Indian Temple Mound Museum at a cost of $8/adult and $5/child (children must be accompanied by an adult). On tour nights, tickets can be purchased starting at 6 p.m. outside the entrance to the Indian Temple Mound Museum where tours will begin.

Harvest Market & Halloween Celebration

Enjoy the crisp, autumn air while perusing artist booths filled with paintings, pottery, jewelry and other handcrafted items at the Halloween celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at Harvest Market, North Barrett Square in Rosemary Beach. Trick or treating and a Kids’ Halloween Bash takes place from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in Town Center in South Barrett Square.

Bring the little ghosts and goblins for trick-or-treating through town center businesses and the Harvest Market artist's booths. Enjoy a pumpkin-carving contest with prizes, a moonwalk, face painting, games, music and more.  The event is free. Paradis will open its haunted doors at 8 p.m. for the adults, for an exciting and scream-filled night of treats, spirits and a costume contest.

Pumpkinpalooza

HarborWalk Village in Destin will have costume contests Oct. 29 with drinks and live entertainment. Children’s contest at 2 p.m.; adult contest, 9 p.m. Children can trick or treat all day and there will be a pumpkin decorating contest from 12-4 p.m. and also free crafts and face painting.

Trick or Treat Street

Trick or treat through the Village streets and visit merchants as they provide you with Halloween treats from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin.

Halloweener Derby

The Second Annual Halloweener Derby & Fundraiser will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 29 at the Seaside Amphitheater. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Races feature some of the areas top dogs, and is a fundraiser for 30A Radio and Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Monster Paddle

Paddle anything you want ... SUP, kayak, canoe, outrigger, dragon boat, rowboat, coffin ... at the 2011 Harry T's Monster Paddle at 10:45 a.m. Oct. 29 on the Destin Harbor. Check in at 9:15 a.m. This is the only costumed stand up paddle poker run in the United States. Make all five stops within the Destin Harbor and get one poker hand at the post-run party. Find the sixth location and get a second hand. Get the highest ranked poker hand and win a huge prize pack including a vacation stay at Emerald Grande, SUP equipment ... and the scariest trophy ever invented.

After the Poker Run, there will be a ghoulish BMX Style sprint race. Extremely short course in front of Harry T's. Limited to the first 25 racers who sign up at the 2011 Monster Paddle Poker Run. Great prizes for winner of the Demon Dash, including a vacation stay at Emerald Grande.

All paddlers must have leashes for SUP and PFD. All other forms of vessels must have PFD (personal floatation device) on board. Best costume also wins a prize.

Halloween Happening

The DBPA will host a Halloween Happening from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31 on Baldwin Avenue in DeFuniak Springs to provide a safe holiday for local children.

Seaside Halloween

It's time for ghosts, goblins and princesses to go door-to-door collecting candy from the Seaside merchants to feed their sugary appetites from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31. Hop on the haunted hayride with friends from the CRA, hear spooky stories with the Seaside Repertory Theatre and do the monster mash with terrifying tunes from 30A Radio.

Halloween Fun at Fired Up!

Stop by Fired Up! in Seaside from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31 for free pottery pumpkins and candy.

Young Frankenstein

Bay Arts presents Young Frankenstein at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Marina Civic Center in Panama City. Tickets range from $37-$50. Call 763-4696.