Find the sweet spot for Sarasota trick-or-treaters

Events around Sarasota and Siesta Key for families to celebrate Halloween.

By Amanda Morales
| 10:44 a.m. October 30, 2015

Merchants handed out candy to trick-or-treaters in Siesta Key Village in 2014.

Sarasota
Neighbors

If you haven't decided your trick-or-treating route yet, there's still time. Stop by these events around Sarasota and Siesta Key with young children to celebrate Halloween.

Friday, Oct. 30  
Trunk or Treat
Runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St. Bring your young ghouls and goblins to trick-or-treat in the daylight. There will be a costume contest and prizes for the best decorated vehicle. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free. Call 954-4182.

Stay safe

The Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier offers the following tips for keeping kids safe at Halloween:

Help pick out or make a costume that will be safe and fire resistant with eye holes large enough for good peripheral vision.
Make sure jack-o'-lanterns with candles in them are far enough out of the way so that costumes won't accidentally be set on fire.
Make props, such as a knife or a pitchfork, are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.
Make sure the child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on his or her costume to make them more visible to cars.
Young children should be accompanied by an adult or responsible teen.
Treat kids to a Halloween dinner prior to trick-or-treating. They will be less likely to eat the candy they collect while walking.
Teaching kids basic everyday safety, such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, looking both ways before crossing the street and crossing when the lights tell them to, will help make them safer when they are out trick-or-treating.

Saturday, Oct. 31 

Spooktacular
Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 Palm Ave. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will host its inaugural Halloween celebration with family-friendly trick-or-treating and pumpkin decorating, fun and educational activities, such as seed planting. Admission is $19 for adults and $6 for children ages 4 to 11. Visit selby.org.

Safe Treats
Runs from 3 to 6 p.m. at Siesta Key Village businesses, Ocean Boulevard. Participating businesses will be marked with balloons to signal that they are handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Admission is free. Visit siestakeyvillage.org.

Fright Night 
Runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Armands Circle. The seventh annual Fright Night will have storefronts decorated and giving out candy for trick-or-treaters. The Sarasota High School theater department will perform Michael Jackson's “Thriller.” Admission is free. Visit starmandscircleassoc.com.