Triplets Amelia, Eloise and Elijah Dennis, 2, enjoyed riding in a wagon along the trail.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota
Neighbors
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During their first visit to Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex on Oct. 20, the Baldo family got a complete Halloween experience.
They not only had a chance to experience the scenic half-mile walking trail, but also found the journey filled with spooky decorations, including gravestones, spiders in trees and a tunnel atop the park bridge.
And, of course, there was plenty of candy, with 8-year-old Luca Baldo, and 5-year-old Della Baldo eagerly running from one vendor to another.
Event organizer Connor Bowers said the Arlington Park Haunted Trail Carnival, now in its fourth year, aims to incorporate the park grounds into a Halloween event.
“We thought, why don't we do a walking trail where they can go around and trick-or-treat like they're in a neighborhood, and see the decorations we put up all over the park?” he said.
He said the event is also important for highlighting the services of different vendors in the area, which visitors have the opportunity to hear about and observe.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Lindsay Bartolomey, who represented Exit King Realty at the event. “I like meeting everyone and seeing all of the kids enjoying everything.”
Luca Baldo, 8, and Della Baldo, 5, look over the candy they've found.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Plenty of spooky decor could be found along the journey.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Junior Fernandez of Astro Skate Family Fun Center gives Preston Turner, 10, a chance to try green hair.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Junior Ortiz, 6, dressed as a creeper from Minecraft, while Ava Ortiz dressed as Jasmine.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Triplets Amelia, Eloise and Elijah Dennis, 2, enjoyed riding in a wagon along the trail.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Paxton Boerner, 3, prepares to toss a beanbag.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Photo by Ian Swaby
A skeleton hangs in an overhang along the bridge.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Stephen Hecht, 2, and his parents Stephen and Jennifer Hecht, all came dressed as monkeys, while their dog Freckles accompanied them as a banana.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Emmett Bartolomey, 7, attended as a bean from the video game Fall Guys.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Gravestones adorn the side of the trail.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Arlington Park's walking trail was transformed into a haunted carnival.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarah Rubin of Save Our Seabirds showcases a hawk foot to Finn Seth-Ward, 4.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Gabrielle Baltzley, dressed as Elsa, greets Valentina Gonzalez, 3.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Camila Eskew, 1, Lauren and Colby Eskew, and Colby Eskew, Jr., 1, emerge from the tunnel atop the bridge.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Spiders are placed on a tree in the forest along the trail.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Noah Shaffer, 9, dressed as a clown and Mila Shaffer, 5, dressed as Wednesday Addams.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Margot Newman, 2, and her father Ben Newman look over some new Halloween candy.
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.
