Plant City’s annual Halloween party is moving to larger digs.
Last year the event, sponsored by Plant City Parks & Recreation Department, commandeered the parking lot at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center and featured trunk-or-treating and a movie night.
This year, they wanted a larger space for the event to accommodate more people, said special events coordinator Ivanna Ibarra.
Plans were made for Trunk or Treat Trails to be held at McIntosh Preserve but Hurricane Ian roared through Plant City, bringing with it heavy rains that soaked the trails and strong winds that toppled trees. Ibarra and her team needed a “Plan B.”
Monster Mash at Plant City Stadium was born.
Friday, October 28 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. the stadium parking lot will be transformed into a spirited cauldron of fun featuring trunk-or-treating, a scare zone, games, food and more. The event is free to attend but parking is $5 per vehicle (cash only).
For ages one to 101, anybody and everybody can don a costume (or not) and join in the fun. “This is going to be a family-friendly event for all ages,” said Ibarra.
At last year’s event, there were plenty of superheroes, princesses, firefighters, dinosaurs and fairies walking around. Ibarra, whose favorite costumes are homemade, looks forward to seeing what types of costumes residents create this year.
“If you don’t want to go too far out of town, bring the kids and stop by,” said Ibarra. “There’ll be plenty of candy and fun games for all.”
Local businesses, government organizations and non-profits will be on hand to pass out candy during the trunk-or-treat, including Baltazar Concrete Inc., Busciglio Smiles, Lutheran Services Florida, Baycare Kids Wellness and Safety Center, Plant City Police Department, Plant City Parks & Recreation Department, Plant City Code Enforcement Department, Great White Soft Wash and others.
A kid-friendly scare zone will be set up, with the help of volunteers from Plant City High School’s Key Club, to frighten (sort-of) the little ones.
“There’ll be a spider room and an evil circus,” said Ibarra. “It won’t be too scary but it will be enough to make your child want to hold your hand while walking through it.”
Food vendors on-site to sell tasty bites include Taqueria Media, who’ll be serving up authentic Mexican street food (tacos, asada, tripa and empanadas), The Mad Mango, serving up soft-serve ice cream, Boba and Italian ice and Marshall Middle School, who’ll be grilling up burgers and hot dogs.
Ibarra said they’re still taking applications for food vendors but the deadline is Thursday, October 27.
“If you have a business license and aren’t selling the same foods as other vendors, we have space for anybody who wants to join us,” said Ibarra. “You can get a 10’ x 10’ spot for $100.”
For more information, email Ibarra at iyibarra@plantcitygov.com.