Fright Night brings Halloween spooks to St. Armands Circle

Creepy creatures and sweet second selves wandered the streets.

  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 1:10 p.m. November 1, 2019
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Spooky statues, candy, music and a few hundred costumed kids filled St. Armands Circle for Halloween 2019. 

Jedis, monsters, Spidermen, dragons, unicorns and a slew of other other-worldly beings crowded the arms of the Circle as the shops opened their doors and put their spookiest feet forward for Fright Night.

Throughout the day, the statues of the Circle were discreetly transformed into beach bums, mummies, Beetlejuice and the Headless Horseman, with stores in the area sponsoring a spooky statue. Though Fright Night didn’t officially begin until 6 p.m., creepy creatures began to lurk before then. 

Stores opened their doors as kids started to come by, depositing handfuls of candy into the proffered vessels.

Even those dining at outdoor tables passed out candy to kids who “Please and thank you’ed” their way to sagging bags of goodies. However, it wasn’t just diners and store owners giving out the goods. Keirsten Showalter staked out her spot on the sidewalk with her dogs and parents, giving out glow sticks. 

“I’m not with a store,” Showalter said. “Kids don’t come by our house so we have to go to them. (Halloween) is by far my favorite holiday.” 

 

A statue turned spooky on the Circle.
A statue turned spooky on the Circle.
Karys Kuchinsky and Alyssa Skartados pose with a scary statue.
Karys Kuchinsky and Alyssa Skartados pose with a scary statue.
This statue is beach bound.
This statue is beach bound.
Latte the dog got into the spirit.
Latte the dog got into the spirit.
Pablo Aguilar and Sandra Zombrano with Sofia and Paula Aguilar.
Pablo Aguilar and Sandra Zombrano with Sofia and Paula Aguilar.
At Fugate's by the Sea, the candy-giving started before 6 p.m.
At Fugate's by the Sea, the candy-giving started before 6 p.m.
Blaze Hollar spreads his spidery wings.
Blaze Hollar spreads his spidery wings.
Yolanda Montes, Xavier Garcia and Nydia Flores.
Yolanda Montes, Xavier Garcia and Nydia Flores.
The Longboat Key Club's tennis group, or rather, flock of flamingos.
The Longboat Key Club's tennis group, or rather, flock of flamingos.
Mary Dunn, Shyanne Driscoll, Selah Driscoll, Anthony Driscoll, Mary Dunn and Haley Dunn.
Mary Dunn, Shyanne Driscoll, Selah Driscoll, Anthony Driscoll, Mary Dunn and Haley Dunn.
Destiny, Tom and Isabella Coppola.
Destiny, Tom and Isabella Coppola.
Decorated pumpkins slowed folks to a crawl as they stopped to take a peek.
Decorated pumpkins slowed folks to a crawl as they stopped to take a peek.
The more elaborate the pumpkin, the better the reaction.
The more elaborate the pumpkin, the better the reaction.
Cathy and Paul Tomass.
Cathy and Paul Tomass.
Natty, Chad and Jordan Waites in their beachy costumes.
Natty, Chad and Jordan Waites in their beachy costumes.
Samuel Herrmann accepts candy from Len Goldberg.
Samuel Herrmann accepts candy from Len Goldberg.
Edgar, Daniela, Ariana and Aileen Rojas.
Edgar, Daniela, Ariana and Aileen Rojas.
Kaitlin Dominach, Nevin Renaud and Biscuit.
Kaitlin Dominach, Nevin Renaud and Biscuit.
Veronica Lapointe and Sebastian Poulin with daughters Florence and Gabriel.
Veronica Lapointe and Sebastian Poulin with daughters Florence and Gabriel.
Yilan and Adelyn Monroe in the spooky gallery.
Yilan and Adelyn Monroe in the spooky gallery.
David, Sarah, Leilani and Alexis Hammel.
David, Sarah, Leilani and Alexis Hammel.
The streets were crowded with trick-or-treaters.
The streets were crowded with trick-or-treaters.
A gang of saxophone skeletons dances past.
A gang of saxophone skeletons dances past.
Melissa Licata and Katie Letterman.
Melissa Licata and Katie Letterman.
It was more strange to spot the non-costumed folks.
It was more strange to spot the non-costumed folks.
As the sun set, people continued the quest for candy.
As the sun set, people continued the quest for candy.
Keirsten Showalter passes out glow sticks.
Keirsten Showalter passes out glow sticks.

 

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