• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

St. Armands Fright Night was creepy good fun on Halloween

The Circle put on a spook-tacular event for hundreds of trick-or-treaters.


  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 9:35 a.m. November 1, 2021
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

St. Armands Circle got extra spooky on the 13th anniversary of its annual Fright Night on Halloween. Trick-or-treaters of every stripe, every age, several species and even other galaxies descended upon the Circle, but luckily participating stops had plenty of candy to dole out. 

Although the event officially started at 6 p.m., the Circle was already filling up with characters by 5:45 p.m. Candy bowls full of treats appeared at the entries of shops where the employees dressed up too. Families took selfies with the statues around the Circle that had been magically spook-ified during the day to look like a skeleton surfer, a pumpkin head, a demon and more. Even many outdoor diners at restaurants around the Circle, including Crab and Fin and Cha Cha Coconuts, dressed up and had bowls of candy to contribute to the cause. 

Costumed traffic slowed at times as bottlenecks formed around candy bowls, but die-hard kids in search of a sugar fix pressed on. 

Kids flocked to candy bins wherever they could be found, like at Ben and Jerry's.
Kids flocked to candy bins wherever they could be found, like at Ben and Jerry's.
Above Settimi's Gelato, folks in costumes waved to trick-or-treaters below.
Above Settimi's Gelato, folks in costumes waved to trick-or-treaters below.
Bill Schroll, Michael Kozisek, Ronald Mueller, Trudi Barta, Kathy Kozisek, Max Schroll and Caroline Schroll
Bill Schroll, Michael Kozisek, Ronald Mueller, Trudi Barta, Kathy Kozisek, Max Schroll and Caroline Schroll
Three skeletons made their way through St. Armands Circle with a saxophone during the 2021 Fright Night.
Three skeletons made their way through St. Armands Circle with a saxophone during the 2021 Fright Night.
Photo by Nat Kaemmerer
Crab and Fin had uniquely carved pumpkins out front.
Crab and Fin had uniquely carved pumpkins out front.
Diners at Crab and Fin dressed up, but stayed in one place to get their treats.
Diners at Crab and Fin dressed up, but stayed in one place to get their treats.
Xena's costume was part of her stroller.
Xena's costume was part of her stroller.
Ashley, Nick, Elli, Riley and Carter Burns
Ashley, Nick, Elli, Riley and Carter Burns
Diners shoot silly string into the path of trick-or-treaters.
Diners shoot silly string into the path of trick-or-treaters.
Joey Daskalides added some spooky sounds to the music he played.
Joey Daskalides added some spooky sounds to the music he played.
Ron, Jackson and Emory Hans
Ron, Jackson and Emory Hans
Jeff, Luda and Finley Kelley
Jeff, Luda and Finley Kelley
Casey, Ayla and Moose Mahoney
Casey, Ayla and Moose Mahoney
Brianne Wilson doles out candy at Apricot Lane Boutique.
Brianne Wilson doles out candy at Apricot Lane Boutique.
Emily Valdes and Brianne Wilson at Apricot Lane Boutique
Emily Valdes and Brianne Wilson at Apricot Lane Boutique
Vivian, Vince and Vanessa Setiono
Vivian, Vince and Vanessa Setiono
Some stores got ahead of inquiring trick-or-treaters and posted signs.
Some stores got ahead of inquiring trick-or-treaters and posted signs.
Statues were dressed in their spooky best.
Statues were dressed in their spooky best.
John McGee hands out candy.
John McGee hands out candy.
Sue Pilotti, Sharon Eckhart and John McGee gave out candy while eating at Cha Cha Coconuts.
Sue Pilotti, Sharon Eckhart and John McGee gave out candy while eating at Cha Cha Coconuts.
Rodney Bird and Todd Callahan
Rodney Bird and Todd Callahan
Caitlyn Brown and Richard DeVita gave out candy at Shore.
Caitlyn Brown and Richard DeVita gave out candy at Shore.
Tiffany, Tamryn and Terrance Judge
Tiffany, Tamryn and Terrance Judge
A demonic Dionysus greeted visitors to St. Armands Circle.
A demonic Dionysus greeted visitors to St. Armands Circle.

 

Latest News

Sarasota Police on Monday recovered a sunken, capsized boat from Hudson Bayou that had been swamped for more than three years.
  • December 6, 2025
Long-abandoned boat removed by Sarasota Police
Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Brent Piersma and Beverly Sutton fill seed packets for Hope Seeds.
  • December 5, 2025
Hope Seeds seeks extra hands
Serge and Sonia Gauthier, owners of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Center, commissioned artist Ludmil Iliev, joined by Vladi Iliev, to paint a mural inspired by shop greeter Ziggy the dog.
  • December 3, 2025
Furry face of St. Armands salon immortalized in new mural
Anne Vose and Jackie Donnelly peruse the works of artist Marie Therese Lacroix, center.
  • December 3, 2025
Check out these artists at Lawn Party by the Bay
A pair of Crested Caracaras become roommates at Save Our Seabirds during ongoing renovations and, as keepers noted, seem to become fast friends.
  • December 2, 2025
Learn how to safely handle wild birds with Save Our Seabirds
American Contract Bridge League-certified bridge player Patty Mayer checks out her hand while playing a round at the club's new meeting spot at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center.
  • December 2, 2025
Former Paradise Center bridge group moves to Bayfront Park
Piper Dawson checks out was she dubbed her favorite tree decorated by Lo' Key Island Grille at the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden on Nov. 30 at Longboat Island Chapel.
  • December 1, 2025
Christmas comes early to Longboat's north end

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now