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Florida's Halloween Haunts
Florida Celebrates In Scary and Not-So-Scary Traditions

By Dawn Henthorn, About.com

Guavaween MamaCompliments of Tampa Bay CVB & Tribune
All across the state a variety of celebrations will mark "Hallow Even." Besides the usual merrymaking and playing of pranks by children, there are concerts and special events at attractions that provide scary and not-so-scary alternatives to celebrate the occasion.

Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream 2009
Tampa
September 25 & 26, October 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24 and 29-31, 2009

Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream event returns for another season; with evil on its mind. Adding one more horrific night of sheer mental madness, guests will run for cover, scream for help and hope they see the light of dawn for 17 horror-filled nights this year. The fear takes root Friday, September 25 and runs selected dates through Saturday, October 31.

Howl-O-Scream themed food and merchandise will be available throughout the park. Howl-O-Scream unleashes its voodoo spirit, Friday and Saturday, September 25 & 26 in its Freaky Preview and continues on selected Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Experience Howl-O-Scream Freaky Preview Nights and Thursdays 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Fridays & Saturdays 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. |More Details|

SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular 2009
Orlando
October 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 30 & 31, 2009

Halloween meets the sea during SeaWorld Orlando's underwater "fantasea" where youngsters trick-or-treat among friendly sea witches, octopuses, mermaids, pumpkin fish and more. The festivities are included in park admission and begins at 12:00 p.m. each day.

Spooktacular highlights include Trick-or-Treat Sea Sweets at several different treasure stations throughout the park, Frozen Fun Zone and strolling entertainment. | Details |

Guavaween and Guavaween Family FunFest 2009
Ybor City
Saturday - October 31

This Latin-style celebration is held each year in Tampa's historic Ybor City which is known more for its cigars than its guavas. The legendary story behind the celebration is as much fun as the celebration itself.

Long ago, Tampa pioneer Gavino Gutierrez tried to cultivate guava commercially, but was unsuccessful. However, it is noted that a local newspaper columnist was successful in planting the idea that if New York is the "Big Apple," then it follows that Tampa must be the "Big Guava." So, for seventeen years the mythical Mama Guava has lead her followers in the Mama Guava Stumble Parade.

This huge street party draws more than 100,000 people. The all day fun for all ages fills the streets between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Party goers not only enjoy the parade, but a costume party and concerts. After 3:00 p.m. Mama Guava welcomes her adult revelers and the party last long into the wee hours of the morning. So, take the "bore" out of Ybor City and join the celebration!

To join the festivities take I-275 to I-4 east or I-75 to I-4 west. Exit I-4 at 21st Street (Exit #1 South) or take the Lee Roy Selmon (Crosstown) Expressway to 22nd Street (Exit #9 North).

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2009
Disney World - Magic Kingdom
September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 & 29
October 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 & 31
November 1, 2009

Special ticketed event at Disney World's Magic Kingdom that features "Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade," Mickey's Mouse-Ka-Rade costume parties, Halloween storytelling, live shows and a special Halloween-themed fireworks display above Cinderella Castle. Families enjoy a complimentary photo, unlimited use of the attractions and opportunities to trick-or-treat throughout the theme park.
| More details |

Universal Studios' 2009 Halloween Horror Nights
Orlando
Sept 25 & 26, October 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 21-25 and 28-31, 2009

Universal Orlando celebrates Halloween Horror Nights at both theme parks again this year. Get ready to experience gut-wrenching scares and blood-curdling frights... some so gruesome and so shocking, you will wish it was only a movie.

There promises to be more haunted houses, hideous new creatures and inescapable scare zones to make you scream.

Event hours are 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, 6:30 p.m. until midnight all other event nights. No costumes allowed. This event may be too intense for young children.
| Details |

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