St. Pete Halloween: What's Canceled, What's Happening?

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Trick-or-treaters dressed like their favorite movie characters, superheroes, goblins and ghouls walking around St. Pete neighborhoods is an event kids, parents and residents look forward to every Halloween. But will there be trick-or-treating this year given the need for precautions to avoid spreading the coronavirus?

The coronavirus pandemic has canceled many events this year in St. Pete including the 4th of July fireworks show, has made our social lives less sociable, and we haven't been able to attend Rays' baseball games. Coronavirus safety concerns rescheduled The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Pete from March to October.

The list of cancellations and life adjustments because of the pandemic goes on, and we wish we had an answer for you about what the spooky holiday is going to look like, but right now it's unknown, authorities said.

Maggie Hall, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health's county office in St. Petersburg, told Patch it's too soon to make the decision on whether Halloween trick-or-treating will happen next month. If it is decided to carry on with Halloween, the Florida Department of Health will release coronavirus safety guidelines of how to keep your trick-or-treaters safe.

Benjamin Kirby, spokesman for St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman said in an email that Teen Arts, Sports and Cultural Opportunities (TASCO) Division has canceled Field of Screams, but other than that, no decisions have been made yet.

Good Housekeeping advises that "risks associated with heading out in your neighborhood can be greatly reduced with some planning ahead of Halloween." For starters, keep the group of trick-or-treaters limited to inside your "pandemic bubble," the magazine and CDC community spread guidance suggest.

And as masks are a given at Halloween, they may help to reduce virus spread.

Candy touching is another matter that has not been addressed by local health officials.

Alternative Things To Do:

Even though we're in the unknown of Halloween celebrations, according to Eventbrite there are fun, hair-raising and haunted events planned for adults and children in St. Pete.

• The 3rd Annual Pumpkin Painting Fundraiser at 3 Daughters Brewery takes place on Sunday, October 25 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The fundraiser is to help continue providing rent assistance, bill assistance and access to basic necessities for homeless and low-income communities in Pinellas via Reach St. Pete. Adult tickets are $20 and kids tickets are $10. To learn more about the coronavirus safety guidelines in place at the event, visit 3 Daughters Brewery Annual Pumpkin Painting.
• Halloween Meet Me Locally Mixer: Mask-uerade Social at Crafty Squirrel, 259 Central Ave., will give away prizes for best mask and costume on October 22. The event is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. To register for the event, click here.
• Take a haunted tour of downtown St. Pete with Ghost Tours of St. Petersburg. The tour is open year round. The stories told about the mansions, ghosts and curses are true. General admission is $20, and $15 for children ages 4-12.
• See pumpkins of all shapes and sizes at Rivera United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch, 175 62nd Avenue North. Its pumpkin patch is open from October 20 to 31. Click Pumpkin Patch for more information.
• Skip the candy and run a halfathon, 10K or 5K in your Halloween costume at the 12th Annual Florida Halloween Distance Classic at Fort DeSoto on the morning of October 31. For more details, visit Florida Halloween Distance Classic.
• Spooky Poochie and the Scardie Cat Purrade! Bring the whole family including the furry ones. Enjoy the Side Lot full of Halloween treats, activities and Pet Parade. Prizes offered for Best Pet Costume, Best Family Affair and Funniest Pet Costume. Parade at 4pm. Cash bar, percent goes to Pet Pal. The event is schedule for October 24 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Pete Side Lot, 2133 Second Avenue South. For more information, check out its Facebook event.
• Halloween Headbangers' Ball 2020 at Side Lot takes place on October 31 at 7 p.m. SYNR has teamed up with the band, Sobriety X to bring you a Halloween party in St. Pete. The SideLot will be all decked out with Halloween decorations and there will also be a costume contest with prizes. Make sure you bring cash with you as there is a small cover of $10 that goes directly to paying the bands and the sound engineer!