Start your Halloween fun early - we've got a bunch of options this week and next

It's nearly Halloween and this week's newsletter is full of options from scary to squeezable

  • Halloween drive-thru events include treats, or go at night for the screams
  • Make your own huggable, plushable ghost
  • Also, Diwali on Friday night by the beach, and Battle of the Bands on Saturday

Things You Won't Want To Miss This Week:

  1. If Halloween is your jam, you've got lot's of options starting this week. There are Drive-Thru events on Saturday the 22nd at Snyder Park and Saturday the 29th at Osswald Park (both suitable for all ages). If you want more of the "Nightmare In The Park" drive-thru experience, that will be Saturday night on the 22nd at Snyder Park. There are also Halloween Party Events planned for next Friday night (on the 28th) at Riverland Park and next Saturday (on the 29th) at Croissant Park. All events here are hosted by Fort Lauderdale Parks & Rec as part of their LauderBoo celebration. (Free)
  2. On Sunday the 23rd, it is the Pumpkins and Palm Trees Fall Fest at Las Olas Oceanside Park. Starting at 10am, there will be tasty fall flavors, local vendors, live music, contests, and activities to celebrate Fall’s arrival, Florida-style. (Free)
  3. And who says you cannot combine Halloween and mermaids? That's what they are doing at the HallowFINS Halloween Festival at B Ocean's FINtastic celebration. Running Friday through Sunday, there will be scavenger hunts, a chance to swim with the mermaids, a beach cleanup and for the adults, a "Sea Witch Soiree" on Saturday evening. (General Admission Tickets)
  4. On Saturday afternoon at Esplanade Park, it is another round of the Riverwalk Rhythm & Brews PLUS this one includes a Battle of the Bands contest. Enjoy an epic afternoon as 5 bands battle it out with delicious food, cold beer, and more. Indulge in delectable dishes served up by South Florida's finest food trucks. (Free)
  5. But before we get into all the Halloween fun, Friday night it is the Diwali Celebration of Lights at Las Olas Oceanside Park. There will be a food and artisan marketplace, plus music and dance performances. (Free)
  6. Are you up to walk Saturday morning, with the annual American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk? This year, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer celebrates its 30th anniversary and will take place in more than 150 communities nationwide. We invite you to join the Making Strides movement to help save lives and end breast cancer. (Tickets)
  7. And one more fun one to get ready for Halloween - Make Your Own Plush Ghost Workshop on Saturday the 22nd at the Coral Springs Museum of Art. Celebrate this year’s Halloween snuggling with your own handmade, cute little stuffed ghost. Learn how to sew simple fabric, buttons, and stuffing together to create an adorable, huggable version of your favorite spooky specter in this 1-day class! Not only will participants create unique artwork, but will learn valuable sewing skills as well. No experience necessary!

Featured Fort Lauderdale

Recently Batch Cookie (a Fort Lauderdale favorite) rebranded as Blueprint Cookie. What's up with that?

Well, there is more to the story than you know. And you can get the inside scoop on the Ashley Gersh podcast Food For Thought.

Ashley sits down in the studio for a live, raw conversation with Michael McGowan, COO of Blueprint Cookies, formerly known as Batch, The Cookie Company. Michael talks about the lawsuit that led to the company’s name change. He also speaks about the moment Lizzo and Latto gave Blueprint cookies a big shout out as well as his plans for franchising. He opens up about growing up in a blended Jewish - Italian family, his love of the culinary arts and his journey from chef, to bakery owner, to entrepreneur and now COO of Blueprint Cookies. Finally, he shares why someone should never be married to their business and advice for up and coming entrepreneurs in the culinary world.

 

So... You Think You Know Fort Lauderdale?

Did you know... not only can you take the Water Trolley for free on select stops along the Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale, but you can also take the Water Taxi as far as Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. With 10 stops along the New River and Intercoastal waterway, it is a great way to see the "Venice of America." Next week it will be a "MUST USE" if you want to get to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and avoid all the traffic/parking issues.

Classifieds

  • New to Fort Lauderdale and looking for a welcoming fellowship? Or maybe you miss that sense of a close-knit community? Visit the Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church on SW 31st Ave. Sunday Service begins at 10am. You can even support them from afar with Amazon Smile.
  • Is it time to do something RADICAL for your child?
  • Want to add your message here? Hiring for your business? Got a shoutout you need to share? Hit reply and let us know!

Flotsam & Jetsam

At Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale, we know we have to bring the goodies each week to make this newsletter deserve its place in your inbox. We've heard from a number of you that FFFTL has become your "go-to resource" for what's happening each week.

But... there is a cool new tool to get your inbox under control from all those OTHER EMAILS. It's called the Leave Me Alone app and it will collect all of your newsletters in a single list and unsubscribe from any you no longer want with a single click. For any you still enjoy, you can also get a daily or weekly rollup to keep everything tidy. Of course, you would never want to lose access to your favorite FFFTL newsletters 😉

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