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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.

 

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