Haunted Houses, Tampa Bay / St. Pete / Pinellas County / 2012

Dal-loween
Dress up the pets for this event that includes a Mardi Paws Parade of Spots, costume contest, games, vendors, raffles, auctions and karaoke. Benefits Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Lake Park, 17302 N Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz. Free; $10 to enter parade and costume contest; donations appreciated for some games. (727) 787-1760.

Dogtoberfest 2009
Dress up your pet as a devilish Doberman, a Harry Potter poodle or a batty beagle and head over to the Shops at Wiregrass for a pet parade and doggie costume contest from 5-8 p.m. Saturday. There will be a live concert by the Rhythm Hounds, a professional photographer (some proceeds from photos going to local animal welfare efforts) and dog adoptions. More than $300 in prizes will be awarded, and every pooch in costume gets a medal. Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Suite 100, Wesley Chapel. (813) 994-2242.

Groovy Monster Bash
This family-oriented event features food for humans and dogs, a pet costume contest, DJ, dancing, raffle, silent auctions and more. Benefits Kids and Canines, an assistance-dog training program. 7-10 p.m. Sat. Groovy Cats and Dogs, 10213-B Lake Carroll Way, Tampa. $35 advance, $40 at the door, 14 and younger $20, unlimited beer and wine $10 additional. (813) 265-1333.

Artist's Attic and Harvest House
This art event with a twist of Halloween for the kids includes works by about 40 vendors, a bounce house, pumpkin rolling and photo opportunities. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. First United Methodist Church of Dunedin, 421 Main St. Free. (727) 773-8481.

Autumn Harvest Celebration
Fun for the whole family with hayrides, apple bobbing, crafts, produce sales, kids games and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Pinellas Pioneer Settlement at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 2900 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. Free admission; $1 hayrides. (727) 893-7326.

Ghost Stories of Pinellas
Deborah Frethem, author of Ghost Stories of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Pinellas County, shares local ghost stories, legends and history and signs her book. 7 p.m. Tue. Tarpon Springs Public Library, 138 E Lemon St. Free. (727) 943-4922.

Ghosts of Our Town
Join Ghost Tours of St. Petersburg for an eerily entertaining evening of ghost stories and haunted houses in St. Petersburg. 8 p.m. daily through Nov. 2. Full Monty Cafe, 119 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $15, $8 ages 4-12. (727) 894-4678. ghosttour.com.

Fright Nights
The 37th Annual Jaycees haunted house has scare areas including Terror Island, the Spirit of the Swamp Cemetery, and Pirate's Processional. 8-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and select nights through Oct. 31. Silver Springs, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd. (State Road 40), Ocala. $12, $10 with donation of two canned goods. (352) 236-2121. silversprings.com.

Halloween Bounce
Jump into a haunted house and monster mash dance party followed by playtime in the 8,000-square-foot themed bounce playroom. No costumes or face paint allowed. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sat. Jump!Zone, 12402 Race Track Road, Tampa. $8 ages 1-10, parents free. (813) 925-1010.
Movies at Your Library Series
October's series features a "Classic Monster Movie Marathon" featuring Dracula (1931), Wolf Man (1941) and The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). Noon Sat. Tarpon Springs Public Library, 138 E Lemon St. Free. (727) 943-4922.

Pumpkin Patch
Plenty of plump pumpkins to choose from with photo opportunities. Pets in costume are invited. Noon-6 p.m. Sun., 5-8 p.m. Mon.-Wed. and select nights through Oct. 31. Old Hyde Park Village, 1622 Snow Ave., Tampa. Free (pumpkins extra). (813) 251-3500. oldhydepark.com.

Fall Festival
A family event with pumpkins, activities and live entertainment. Runs in conjunction with the Pumpkin Patch. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sat. Old Hyde Park Village, 1622 Snow Ave., Tampa. Free. (813) 251-3500. oldhydepark.com.

Halloween Dress Rehearsal
The "Dress Up in Dreams" costume parade is a sort of Halloween dress rehearsal to give kids an excuse to put that costume on early. Children 3 and older who wear a Disney costume get a gift while supplies last. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wed. Disney Store, Westfield Countryside mall, 27001 U.S. 19 N, Suite 2022, Clearwater. Free. (727) 791-8876.

Sharktoberfest
The annual Mote Marine Laboratory Halloween event is planned for the entire month. But children ages 4-12 who wear their costumes on weekends all month receive a treat bag and free admission (one each with a paying adult). Tickets are $17 adults, $12 ages 4-12, free for Mote members and ages 3 and under. Mote is at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. (941) 388-4441. mote.org.

Theme parks/zoos

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Family-friendly fun at the Magic Kingdom, with trick-or-treating, special parades, a fireworks extravaganza and appearances by the Headless Horseman. 4 p.m.-midnight Sun. and Tue. and select nights through Nov. 1. Walt Disney World, 1515 N Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista. $52-$64 for 10 and older; $46-$58 ages 3-9. (407) 934-7639. disneyworld.com.

Howl-O-Scream
Busch Gardens' Halloween with haunted houses, scare zones, roller coasters in the dark and spooky live shows. Not recommended for young children. 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. today, 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat. and select nights through Oct. 31. Busch Gardens, 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa. Visit the Web site for various ticket packages, prices and discounts. Toll-free 1-888-800-5447. howloscream.com.

Halloween Horror Nights
If you're considering heading to Universal Orlando's Halloween scarefest, you might want to read what Times film critic Steve Persall had to say about it: "This year's scream theme is 'Ripped From the Silver Screen,' and the theme park is tricked out with more carnage and creature features than ever." Begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at midnight or 2 a.m. on select nights. $69.99 (no children's ticket sold for this event; not recommended for under age 13). Universal Studios, 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando. Toll-free 1-800-837-2273; halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando.

Halloween Spooktacular
Kids may dress up and trick-or-treat among friendly sea witches, mermaids, octopus, pumpkin fish and more. All events included with park admission. 11 a.m. Sat.-Sun. and select nights through Oct. 31. SeaWorld, 7007 SeaWorld Drive (Interstate 4, Exit 71), Orlando. $74.95, $64.95 ages 3-9. New "Pick Two" ticket, $79.95, details and Florida resident discounts online. Toll-free 1-800-327-2424. seaworldspooktacular.com.
ZooBoo
Lowry Park Zoo's family-friendly Halloween event has haunted houses and trails for older zoogoers, foam factory, boo houses and more. Also unlimited zoo rides in the dark, including Gator Falls log flume. 7-10 p.m. today and Sun., 7-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and select nights through Oct. 31. Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. $17, $14 ages 3-11. (813) 935-8552. lowryparkzoo.com.

Wild N' Wicked Nights
The annual Halloween festival features a holiday-themed mermaid show, haunted maze, haunted forest and more. 7-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and Oct. 23-24. Weeki Wachee Springs, 6131 Commercial Way (Near U.S. 19 S at State Road 50), Weeki Wachee. $24.95 adults, $16.95 ages 3-10 plus tax. (352) 592-5656. weekiwachee.com.