The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Not too spooked for candy, costumes

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Wesley Chapel trick-or-treater Harper Webb reaches for that precious candy at the Halloween Spooktacular event hosted by Pasco County’s Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department on Oct. 21 at Wesley Chapel District Park. The evening featured games, candy, music, arts and crafts, inflatables and entertainment, as well as a chance for those attending to show off their costumes. (Mike Camunas)

They came, all dressed up, in spooky, spirited and fun costumes.

And in the end, they were ‘goblin’ up candy all night.

Hundreds of kids, tweens, teens, families and even adults were out in force, and in costumes, at the Halloween Spooktacular, held on Oct. 21 at Wesley Chapel District Park.

The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department hosted the event, which was spread out on the fields next to the gymnasium. The festivities included candy, music, arts and crafts, inflatables, face painting, vendors and entertainment. The DJ hosted dance parties, as well as a costume contest, with contest winners selected by votes from those in attendance.

The vendors, such as the Girl Scouts of Wesley Chapel and Delano at Cypress Creek Apartments, passed out candy to eager youngsters who were looking for sweet treats and no tricks.

Popular costumes at the event included lots of Super Mario Bros., Spider-Men and Harley Quinns, but also classics such as characters from books and movies — Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Caribbean and Pennywise (from “It”).

This was one of a few Halloween events the Parks Department hosted, including the Second Annual Jack O’ Lantern Festival, on Oct. 20 at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Published November 01, 2023

This Wesley Chapel super family — from left: Leigh, Madison, Jeremey and Matthew Cooper — didn’t need to smash blocks or defeat Bowser to snag candy and fun at the Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 21 at Wesley Chapel District Park.
Wesley Chapel resident Sharon Hinds holds her grandson Kai Handy — oh wait, is that Miles Morales, aka Spider-Man? They were having fun at Wesley Chapel District Park on Oct. 21.
Angel Roman, of Wesley Chapel, plays the ring toss game at Wesley Chapel District Park’s Halloween Spooktacular as his mom, Jordan Dosal, watches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel youngster Bhrett Tarbutton and his grandma, Lee Tarbutton, are all smiles spending the evening of Oct. 21 at the Halloween Spooktacular at Wesley Chapel District Park.
Baylie Brown, of Wesley Chapel, cracks a stitched smile dressed as Sally from ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’
Wesley Chapel resident Eli Follano went down the rabbit hole for some candy at the Halloween Spooktacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riaan Shah, of Wesley Chapel, seen here as Sonic, makes a mad dash across the field at Wesley Chapel District Park, in a quest for candy.
Costumed kiddos and teens lined up around the DJ playing music for the Halloween Spooktacular costume contest.
Dustin Mills holds his daughter, Riley — a baby Wonder Woman — at the Halloween Spooktacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yasaswini, right, and Jayanth Sripathi, left, reach out for some of the delicious candy they got during the Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 21.
Wesley Chapel youngster Sanchit Sharma was as surprised as anyone else when an ‘alien’ carried and ‘abducted’ him during Halloween Spooktacular.
Costumed kiddos and teens lined up around the DJ playing music for the Halloween Spooktacular costume contest.