50 Organizations To Hand Out Treats At 7th Riverwalk Halloween Event

TAMPA, FL — For the seventh year, costumed kids will have a chance to trick or treat on the Tampa Riverwalk in downtown Tampa.

Hosted by the Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Riverwalk Trick or Treat, presented by Banko Overhead Doors, Inc., returns Oct. 28, from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by a movie on the lawn at 7:30 p.m.

This free community event gives children and their families a chance to enjoy trick-or-treating along Tampa’s famed 1.4-mile Riverwalk where more than 50 local organizations and businesses will set up treat stations. Kids will receive complimentary treat bags at select locations along the Riverwalk (while supplies last) from Water Works Park to Curtis Hixon Park.

Along the way, kids will enjoy special activities including a costume contest, a pumpkin patch and a Halloween market in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park where there will be a mixture of more than 20 local makers providing a blend of sweet treats, clothing, candles and artisan foods. DJs, food trucks and photo ops in Water Works Park and Curtis Hixon Park will round out the fun.

The costume contest, sponsored by Grow Financial, will be held at 5 p.m. in Water Works Park. Age groups include 0-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 as well as a small pet and large pet category.

Children will participate in a parade around the park prior to costume judging on stage. All children and pets will receive participation ribbons and the top three contestants in each category will receive medals.

After trick or treating, families are invited to stick around for a movie in the park, sponsored by the Gasparilla Film Festival, at 7:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and grab a good seat on the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park lawn for a family-friendly, Halloween-inspired film.

Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk is a privately funded nonprofit that supports special events, activities and beautification efforts along the Tampa Riverwalk. Working in partnership with the city, its mission is to develop, activate and promote Tampa’s downtown waterfront.