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Attendees dress in costumes to impress for Fright Night on St. Armands Circle


  • By Ian Swaby
  • | 11:00 a.m. November 1, 2023
Libby Gallups, Judie Rogers and Debbie Emery came in costumes, and in character, as the Sanderson Sisters from "Hocus Pocus." The three friends entertained the crowds by adopting the voices and mannerisms of their characters.
Libby Gallups, Judie Rogers and Debbie Emery came in costumes, and in character, as the Sanderson Sisters from "Hocus Pocus." The three friends entertained the crowds by adopting the voices and mannerisms of their characters.
Photo by Ian Swaby
  • Sarasota
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The candy available for kids at many restaurants and stores was not the only draw during Fright Night on St. Armands Circle.

Many attendees were also showcasing a thorough effort with their Halloween costumes, with friends and families making the rounds in complimentary getups, filling the sidewalk with sights of familiar sets of characters.

The experience gave attendees an opportunity to connect with one another.

Sarasota's Clare Hasbrook, 8, who came dressed as Barbie, found unexpected excitement when she met a large group of members of tennis players from Longboat Key Club, also dressed as Barbie. 

Very soon, the group was jumping up and down together, with chants of Barbie's name. 

Attendees also enjoyed simply taking in the experience. Tamas Toth said his family always comes out for Fright Night each year. 

He said they enjoy the ice cream, many good restaurants and atmosphere, but that meeting people at the Circle is a unique experience, as you often run into someone a second time as you make your way around.

“Halloween is our favorite holiday, so we’re just enjoying it,” said Dianelis Salgado.

“Every year it turns out like this,” said Joyce Condrack of Little Bo-Tique Children's Wear. “The children are always here, and it doesn’t rain.”

Clare Hasbrook, 8, who came dressed as Barbie, found the perfect group when she met members of Longboat Key Club tennis.
Clare Hasbrook, 8, who came dressed as Barbie, found the perfect group when she met members of Longboat Key Club tennis.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Marcia Gutridge of Longboat Key Club tennis and Clare Hasbrook, 8, jump up and down and chant,
Marcia Gutridge of Longboat Key Club tennis and Clare Hasbrook, 8, jump up and down and chant, "Barbie, Barbie!"
Photo by Ian Swaby
Alexis Quicc impressed attendees as Freddy Krueger from
Alexis Quicc impressed attendees as Freddy Krueger from "A Nightmare on Elm Street."
Photo by Ian Swaby
Gabrielle Garner, 8, and Nick Garner, 6, catch candies thrown from the balcony of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa where Julie Wilson, Sonia Gauthier and Serge Gauthier stand, as Jim and Joyce Condrack of Little Bo-Tique Children's Wear watch the excitement.
Gabrielle Garner, 8, and Nick Garner, 6, catch candies thrown from the balcony of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa where Julie Wilson, Sonia Gauthier and Serge Gauthier stand, as Jim and Joyce Condrack of Little Bo-Tique Children's Wear watch the excitement.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Julie Wilson and Sonia Gauthier throw candy from the balcony of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa.
Julie Wilson and Sonia Gauthier throw candy from the balcony of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Libby Gallups, Judie Rogers and Debbie Emery came in costumes, and in character, as the Sanderson Sisters from
Libby Gallups, Judie Rogers and Debbie Emery came in costumes, and in character, as the Sanderson Sisters from "Hocus Pocus." The three friends entertained the crowds by adopting the voices and mannerisms of their characters.
Photo by Ian Swaby
There were frightful sights to be found on the circle on Oct. 31.
There were frightful sights to be found on the circle on Oct. 31.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Dianelis Salgado, Johan Reyes, 1, dressed as Frankenstein and Shami Jimenez
Dianelis Salgado, Johan Reyes, 1, dressed as Frankenstein and Shami Jimenez
Photo by Ian Swaby
Zoe Leonard, 5, Claire Leonard, and David Leonard dressed as Tinker Bell, Peter Pan, and Captain Hook.
Zoe Leonard, 5, Claire Leonard, and David Leonard dressed as Tinker Bell, Peter Pan, and Captain Hook.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Andre Herke, Thomas Herke, 1, and Jennifer Herke decided to make use of a lobster costume they owned, a hand-me-down item within their family. “I thought it was the cutest thing,” said Jennifer Herke. “I had no idea it was going to be such a hit.”
Andre Herke, Thomas Herke, 1, and Jennifer Herke decided to make use of a lobster costume they owned, a hand-me-down item within their family. “I thought it was the cutest thing,” said Jennifer Herke. “I had no idea it was going to be such a hit.”
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jett Ginand, 1, encounters Boris and Sax as he makes his way down the sidewalk, accompanied by two walking skeletons.
Jett Ginand, 1, encounters Boris and Sax as he makes his way down the sidewalk, accompanied by two walking skeletons.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Alexis Skasko holds out a bowl of candy for Jeniah June, 9, and Arstasia June, 8.
Alexis Skasko holds out a bowl of candy for Jeniah June, 9, and Arstasia June, 8.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Layla Ellis (DJ Solove) plays music from the balcony of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa.
Layla Ellis (DJ Solove) plays music from the balcony of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jerod Ward, Violet Ward, 7 and Tricia Ward dressed as the Scarecrow, Dorothy and Glinda from
Jerod Ward, Violet Ward, 7 and Tricia Ward dressed as the Scarecrow, Dorothy and Glinda from "The Wizard of Oz."
Photo by Ian Swaby
Rick Almarode of Ben and Jerry's provides a flow of bubbles that draws the attention of Arlo Citak, 3.
Rick Almarode of Ben and Jerry's provides a flow of bubbles that draws the attention of Arlo Citak, 3.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Brian and Cam Maddox hand out candy to Eliza Narain, 6, as her parents Kevan and Gaby Narain look on.
Brian and Cam Maddox hand out candy to Eliza Narain, 6, as her parents Kevan and Gaby Narain look on.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Zamora Quillen, 1, Lucas Quillen and Erica Quillen dressed as Pebbles, Fred, and Wilma Flintstone, while Kyela Jendelund, Aiden Jendelund, 1, and Robert Jendelund dressed as Jovie, Susie, and Buddy from
Zamora Quillen, 1, Lucas Quillen and Erica Quillen dressed as Pebbles, Fred, and Wilma Flintstone, while Kyela Jendelund, Aiden Jendelund, 1, and Robert Jendelund dressed as Jovie, Susie, and Buddy from "Elf."
Photo by Ian Swaby
The Amaya family gathers at St. Armands Circle
The Amaya family gathers at St. Armands Circle
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ella Vivid and Boris and Sax offer a performance.
Ella Vivid and Boris and Sax offer a performance.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Halloween displays were among the offerings at Fright Night.
Halloween displays were among the offerings at Fright Night.
Photo by Ian Swaby

 

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.

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