WEEKEND BEST BET: Fright Night Halloween

Last year’s Fright Night Halloween on St. Armands was a thriller night for the Circle, with about 2,000 people coming out for a night of trick-or-treating at the first “Fright Night” event. This year, the St. Armands Circle Association is preparing for a sequel.

“We’re telling businesses to buy a lot of candy early, because this year, it’s going to be even bigger,” said Diana Corrigan, executive director of the Circle Association.

This year’s “Fright Night” begins at 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30, on St. Armands Circle. The event will take place the day before Halloween, which falls on a Sunday this year, so families will be able to enjoy the evening on the Circle.

The Circle will be a spooky place with decorated storefronts and statues and scary music playing on the speakers. Then, at 8:30 p.m., Sarasota High School’s drama department will give an encore performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Participating retailers and restaurants will have special treats and promotions throughout the evening. Specials include face-painting at Foxy Lady West, a kids’ costume contest at The Shore and a popcorn barn at Wet Noses. Other attractions will include carriage rides and the ghosts of John and Mable Ringling.

According to Corrigan, last year’s participants got creative with their costumes, some even bringing dressed-up dogs to the Circle.

“Everybody that came to that event became a kid again,” she said.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].