Halloween Fun-Times for all at Miami-Dade Parks & Attractions
(MIAMI, October 8, 2014) Why limit your Halloween thrills to one night of trick-or-treating, when the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department has a wide variety of fun and thrilling Halloween-themed festivities for both kids and adults, from October 17 through November 1, at parks and attractions like Zoo Miami, the Deering Estate and Miami EcoAdventuresTM Nature Centers. You’ll have choices of everything from Halloween parties and costume contests to haunted houses, ghost tours and night hikes. Here’s a list of Miami-Dade Parks’ signature Halloween events:
ZOO MIAMI
“THE MONSTER MASQUERADE” (ADULTS ONLY COSTUME PARTY) – OCTOBER 17
8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. On this night, living and non-living things will greet you with scary sights and sounds. Stroll the moonlit walkways at your own risk. If you dare, enjoy premium cocktails at our open bars sponsored by Bacardi USA, savory treats, music, dancing, and entry into Dr. Wilde’s Creepy House! At the end of the night, we’ll announce the “Best Costume Contests” that will have you dying for awesome prizes. When night falls and the wild calls, The Monster Masquerade at Zoo Miami will be the only place to be. Your ticket purchase will support the Zoological Society of Florida (ZSF) in its mission of wildlife education and conservation. Must be 21 and older to attend. Pre-sale tickets to The Monster Masquerade are $65/person. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door for $75/person. Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 St., Miami. Tickets will be available online at www.zoomiami.org. For more information, call 305-255-5551. Groups buying 5 tickets ($65 each) get 1 free (offer ends Oct. 17 – 5 p.m.).
“DR. WILDE’S CREEPY HOUSE” – OCTOBER 17-31 (FRIDAY – SUNDAY ONLY)
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A 7,000-square-foot haunted house guaranteed to send chills up and down your spine. We will make your every fear come to life! Roaches take over the kitchen while cats take over a cadaver’s home. What will you find when the freezer defrosts – a zookeeper or two perhaps? You’ll have to come and see for yourself. Parental discretion is advised for young children. The cost is $5/person, plus regular zoo admission. Save money and time by purchasing your tickets online at www.zoomiami.org very soon. Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 St., Miami. For more information, call 305-251-0400, Ext. 16.
WILD NIGHT 4 ALL EVENING TOUR – OCTOBER 18
6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Take a “walk on the wild side” as you explore the Zoo at night on a behind-the-scenes tour! Guided by a knowledgeable zookeeper, you will visit selected animal exhibits and experience the sounds, scents, and fascinating behaviors of the Zoo’s great beasts. Wild Nights include a pizza dinner and a souvenir. Program varies according to animal availability. Cost per person: Members: $30; Non-members: $35. For more information, contact our Education Department at [email protected], or call us at 305-255-5551. Pre-registration is required. “SPOOKY ZOO NIGHTS” – OCTOBER 24, 25 & 31
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The night includes tours of Dr. Wilde’s Creepy House, spooky tram rides and a ghoulish carousel (for an additional fee). Goodies, roving street theatre and chilling story-telling will add excitement to the pathways. The cost is $10.95/person and $9.95/person for zoo members. Save money and time by purchasing your tickets online at www.zoomiami.org. Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 St., Miami. For more information, call 305-251-0400, Ext. 16.
“ZOO BOO!” – OCTOBER 25 & 26
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Included with zoo admission, families and kids ages 12 and under are invited to trick-or-treat in costumes, participate in costume contests, watch special performances, make Halloween crafts, see zoo animals get their Halloween goodies, and more! Music and games with fun prizes will be provided by 97.3 The Hits and Radio Disney AM990. Save money and time by purchasing your tickets online at www.zoomiami.org. Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 St., Miami. For more information, call 305-251-0400, Ext. 16.
DEERING ESTATE AT CUTLER
“SPOOKOVER” - OCTOBER 17
11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Experience the Deering Estate at Cutler overnight when the lights are out! Guests will visit the most active locations on the Estate where they can investigate and attempt communication with the spirits that roam in the historic houses and main grounds. Equipment used to detect spectral presences - such as pendulums, dowsing rods, EMF meters, voice recorders and cameras are welcome! This is not a sleepover; guests will investigate and participate in activities all night. Please dress comfortably. Bring your own flashlight, mosquito repellant and any equipment you wish to use. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. Tour may contain mature subject matter. Future tours will be held January 2 and March 13. The cost is $65/person. Tickets can be purchased online at www.deeringestate.org , or by calling the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668, Ext. 233. The Deering Estate at Cutler is located at 16701 SW 72 Ave., Palmetto Bay.
“DEERING HARVESTER DAY” – OCTOBER 19
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Celebrate the fall harvest at the Deering Estate at Cutler! Guests can enjoy old fashion family activities such as bocce ball and croquet, family photos next to the vintage International Harvester Truck, historic house tours at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and a natural areas tour at 12:30 p.m. Children can also create corn husk dolls, a traditional harvest craft made out of the dried leaves or "husk" of a corn cob. The cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children (ages 4-14). The Deering Estate at Cutler is located at 16701 SW 72 Ave., Palmetto Bay. For more information, please visit www.deeringestate.org
GHOST TOUR: “BE YOUR OWN INVESTIGATOR” – OCTOBER 23
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. “Be Your Own Investigator” and become part of the Paranormal Investigative Team at the Deering Estate as we examine evidence at this historic location. Then try your luck at capturing evidence of your own. Take a seat in the historic ballroom of the Stone House while we see, hear, and witness paranormal evidence found on the Estate. Then walk through the grounds and historical houses and test your investigative skills with the lights out! Pendulums, dowsing rods, EMF meters, voice recorders, and cameras are welcome. Please dress comfortably – closed toe shoes, bring your own flashlight, and mosquito repellant is recommended. Future tours will be held November 20, December 18, February 19, and April 16. The cost is $30/person. Tickets can be purchased online at www.deeringestate.org, or by calling the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668, Ext. 233. The Deering Estate at Cutler is located at 16701 SW 72 Ave., Palmetto Bay.
MIAMI ECOADVENTURESTM
CAMPFIRE & NIGHT WALK AT ARCH CREEK PARK – OCTOBER 17
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Venture through this marvelous tropical hardwood hammock at dusk and experience the sights and sounds of eastern screech owls, raccoons, night spiders and more. Then settle down for marshmallow toasting around a campfire. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring along a flashlight and a bag of marshmallows. Halloween costumes are welcome. The cost is $6/person. Arch Creek Park is located at 1855 NE 135 Street, North Miami. For more information, visit www.miamiecoadventures.org or call 305-944-6111.
CAMPFIRE & NIGHT WALK AT A.D. “DOUG” BARNES PARK – OCTOBER 17
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Join a park naturalist on a wildlife hike through the woods and then settle down for marshmallow toasting around a campfire. Be sure to wear closed-toe walking shoes and bring along a flashlight and a bag of marshmallows. Halloween costumes welcome. The cost is $6/person. A.D. “Doug” Barnes Park Sense of Wonder Nature Center, 3401 SW 72 Ave. For more information, visit www.miamidade.gov/ecoadventures/ or call 305-662-4124.
CAMPFIRE & NIGHT WALK AT BILL SADOWSKI PARK – OCTOBER 24
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Venture through this marvelous tropical hardwood hammock at dusk and experience the sights and sounds of eastern screech owls, raccoons, night spiders and more. The guided walk concludes with marshmallow toasting around a campfire. Wear closed-toe walking shoes and bring along a flashlight and a bag of marshmallows. Halloween costumes are welcome. The cost is $6/person. Bill Sadowski Park is located at 17555 SW 79 Ave., Palmetto Bay. For more information, visit www.miamidade.gov/ecoadventures/ or call (305) 255-4767.
CAMPFIRE & NIGHT WALK AT CASTELLOW HAMMOCK – NOVEMBER 1
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Join us for a special Halloween themed program on Creepy Critters of the Night. Search for screech owls and other nocturnal creatures and then settle for Halloween activities and marshmallow toasting around a campfire. Wear your Halloween costume if desired. Please bring a flashlight, comfortable closed-toe walking shoes, and a bag of marshmallows. The cost is $6/person, children 3 and under free! Castellow Hammock Park is located at 22301 SW 162 Avenue, Miami. For more information, visit www.miamidade.gov/ecoadventures/ or call 305-242-7688.
More safe Halloween-themed celebrations at these Miami-Dade County Parks locations:
TROPICAL ESTATES PARK
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT – OCTOBER 24
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Activities include a haunted house and a free outdoor movie screening of Hotel Transylvania. Tropical Estates Park is located at 10201 SW 48 St., Miami – Call 305-226-5782.
NORTH TRAIL PARK
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT – OCTOBER 25
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Free outdoor movie screening of Hocus Pocus. North Trail Park is located at 780 NW 127 Ave., Miami – Call 305-207-2420.
CONTINENTAL PARK
HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL – OCTOBER 25
6:30 pm. To 9:30 p.m. – Activities include a Halloween costume contest, bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, food truck vendors and music. The festival is sponsored by the Continental Park Homeowners Association. Continental Park is located at 10000 SW 82 Ave., Miami – Call 305-274-9666.
IVES ESTATES PARK
HALLOWEEN BASH – OCTOBER 31
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Free community event with entertainment, music, bounce houses, and free candy while supplies last - Sponsored by the Ives Estates Optimist Club. Ives Estates Park is located at 20901 NE 16 Ave., Miami – Call 305-770-3125.
WEST PERRINE PARK
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT – OCTOBER 31
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Free outdoor movie screening of Muppets Most Wanted. West Perrine Park is located at 10301 SW 170 Terr., Miami – Call 305-235-2053.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL PARK
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT – OCTOBER 31
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Free outdoor movie screening of Monsters University. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park is located at 6100 NW 32 Ct., Miami – Call 305-633-2044.
To stay up to date on all future Miami-Dade County Parks events, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/miamidadeparks; and follow us on Twitter @miamidadeparks. You can also see past events on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/miamidadeparks.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department: Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.liveaparklife.org.
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