Halloween Events 2009

The Halloween countdown officially begins with just seven days until Halloween. With Florida-Georgia on the horizon, Halloween starts a week early in Gainesville with parties, haunted houses and events offering Gators the best of both worlds. We've compiled a guide to enough Halloween events to keep you scared all week long. This is way cheaper (and less crowded) than going to Halloween Horror Nights.

Jaycee's Haunted House: The Enchanted Castle Starting tonight, revisit your childhood as your favorite Disney princesses take a turn off the yellow brick road and into the dark side. This year's Jaycees Haunted House offers up a more grown-up, sadistic retelling of our favorite storybook characters. As if the The Seven Dwarfs and Mary Poppins weren't scary enough already.

At the Alachua County Fairgrounds, 2900 NE 39th Ave., on Oct. 23, 24, 29, and 30 from 7:30pm to 12am, with extended hours until 1am on Halloween. Tickets:$5 in advance and $6 at the door. Cash only! For advance tickets, e-mail info@gainesvillejaycees.com or call 352-213-6760.

Halloween Haunted Walk in the Woods Micanopy opens its ominous, spanish moss covered streets to the public for a one-night-only event. The event will host a carnival-like atmosphere with hay rides, caramel apples, burgers, hot dogs, bakes treats and a Woodlands Creature Halloween Barn.

Located at 600 E Tuscawilla Road (there will be signs pointing to the event from US 441) on Oct. 24 from 7 to 10pm. Tickets: $3.

21st Annual Halloween Carnival Benefitting the March of Dimes, this annual carnival has expanded this year to include more rides, haunted houses, contests, prizes and food. The Sun Country Dance Theatre will be performing a "Shake Your Bones" dance.

Located at Sun Country Sports Center, 333 SW 140th Terrace in Jonesville. Sunday, Oct. 25 from 3-6 pm. Tickets: $20 for adults, $10 for kids.

Hippodrome Ghost Tour The Hippodrome, 25 SE 2nd Place, takes out all its theatrical stops as visitors are guided through a behind-the-curtain tour of the theatre. Rusty Sailing recounts the story of the lost soul that has haunted the 98-year-old structure since 1914- long before the theatre was born.

Oct. 23, 29 and 30 at 10 p.m. Tickets are already sold out for the Oct 23 and 30th tours, so call fast to reserve your spaces for the 29th. To make the tour more intimate, admission is capped at 20 people. Tickets are $10. Pre-order your tickets early by calling the box office at 352-375-4477.

Coon Hollo Corn Maze This week the Newberry Cornfield Maze at Hodge Farms is offering up more than just corn. On October 29, 30th and 31st the farm will be taking guests on Haunted Halloween Hayrides through the farm's dense, tall corn maze. By day families can enjoy such events as pumpkin-picking and "bucking barrels," but by night the maze goes from family-friendly to nightmarish as Old Hollow's ghouls take over the farm.

At 22840 N Highway 441 in Micanopy. Oct. 29, 30 and 31st from dusk until 9pm. Tickets: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for youths.

Halloween Haunted Homes Tour From downtown's elegant bed-and-breakfasts, cobble-stoned streets and brick-built structures, you know Gainesville has a rich, historic, creepy tales to tell. Starting at the Mathesom Museum explore the houses of Southeast Seventh Street as the Anhinga's Writer's Studio, share some PG-rated Gainesville ghost stories. Snacks and palm readings will be offered.

513 E. University Ave., on Oct. 30. Tours depart at 5:30 and 6pm. Tickets: $5

Dracula's Halloween Costume Ball If you've ever wanted to party on the Phillips Center Stage, now is your chance. Directly following Dance Alive National Ballet's production of Dracula on Oct. 30th, the curtain is pushed aside as the guests are invited to party with Count Dracula in his castle. A costume contest, finger food and Bloody Mary's will be offered up.

Oct. 30th, 9pm at The Phillips Center, 315 Hull Road. Tickets: $35

—Stephanie Granada