• 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

Former Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier has drafted an updated noise ordinance for the city, which was approved by the City Commission on first reading.
  • December 11, 2025
City asks: How much noise is too much?
Construction of the Ritz-Carlton Residences II in The Quay. The project will add 78 condos to downtown.
  • December 11, 2025
Thousands of new residences are planned now and soon in downtown
Sarasota city commissioners adopted an ordinance in 2021 to register and regulate vacation rentals in coastal communities.
  • December 11, 2025
Are complaints worth additional vacation rental oversight?
Cannons Marina is at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key. The 70-plus year-old business started as a fish camp in the late 40s opened by Ernie Cannon.
  • December 10, 2025
Cannons Marina boats burglarized of more than $40,000 of equipment

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

Many holiday events took place the first weekend of December, but there are still plenty of opportunities for festive fun to have on the keys.
  • December 11, 2025
Catch Santa on Longboat Key before Christmas
Santa Claus welcomes Ketia Alennsia Joachim, Henry Lerricia Jeanbaptiste and John Kerry Jeanbaptiste for a morning of family holiday fun at Stillpoint Mission. Longboat Island Chapel and other local groups helped make the Dec. 6 toy distribution happen.
  • December 9, 2025
Stillpoint Mission brings holiday spirit to community
Violinist and pianist Donna Smith performs with singer Johanna Davis at a special Christmas concert for attendees at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Dec. 6.
  • December 8, 2025
Angelic voices ring throughout All Angels for Christmas concert
Emily Burns and Jack Coleman of Poppo's Taqueria dish up their popular pork tacos at the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's Lawn Party on Dec. 6 at Ken Thompson Park.
  • December 8, 2025
Longboat's Lawn Party returns following hurricane hiatus
Susan Borden, Kelli Veit and Nancy Harris shared a bit about the goods and games available at Temple Beth Israel's Hanukkah open house on Dec. 7.
  • December 8, 2025
Temple Beth Israel hosts Hanukkah open house for third year
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

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