The Haunting History of Halloween in Punta Gorda continues -- the Place to be on All Hallows Eve

Halloween in Punta Gorda has an enchanting history that goes back to Governor Gilchrist's  time when he funded free ice cream for the children of Punta Gorda.  To this day the Masons of Punta Gorda bestow his perpetual gift on costumed kids who wander down Retta Esplanade and the other streets of the historic district on All Hallows Eve.   Along with Masons, the Kiwanis Club of Punta Gorda provides glow lights to help the trick-or treaters spirit through the twilighted lanes of the Victorian-era downtown area of the city.  

Punta Gorda's historic area with it's looming gothic mansions and trees dangling in Spanish moss already resembles the setting for a spooky movie. But on Halloween, the residents of the historic district go all out to embellish this  setting by draping their homes in gossamery garland, decorating windows with eerie lighting, hanging animated witches, ghosts and other goblins from porch fronts and doorways, adding ghostly music and other chilling effects to create a Disneyesque haunted neighborhood attracting costumed visitors from all around in search of treats in the Halloween atmosphere.

By early evening  throngs of visiting ghosts, goblins, witches, and icons of popular culture will flood the area from Shreve to Cross, and Olympia to Retta Esplanade, like a huge river of freaky characters. They will be welcomed by costumed residents many in houses with themes to suit the night.

This is the night to be in downtown Punta Gorda -- even if not in costume -- just to be bewitched by the adorable dressed-up youngsters of our town.

And if you want to be spooked further in Punta Gorda,  you can head on over to the Haunting on the Harbor.  And I've already heard there are other spooky visitors who are planning an early Halloween visit to Dean's South -- the Zoombie's are coming.