As we prepare to celebrate Halloween in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, there were a few haunted holiday-related questions we asked our readers. Below are your answers.
But first, we also reached out to a few LGBTQ activists to ask: What was your favorite or most memorable Halloween costume growing up?
“In 6th grade, when trick-or-treating at the mall was the new rage, I decided to accompany my little brother dressed as a witch. For the sake of authenticity I used the paper mache flour and water recipe with a few drops of green food coloring. It felt cool and soothing as I slathered it on my face and neck and waited for it to firm up sufficiently. An hour into our candy grab, that flour paste began to shrink fast and harden, pulling out my eyebrows and a few layers of skin as it turned into indestructible cement.” — Nadine Smith, Equality Florida Executive Director
“One of my fondest memories of Halloween was when I was about 8 years old. I wanted to go as Wonder Woman and my father told me that I couldn’t, so my sister made me a costume. She bought WW Underoos from Ames Department Store and spray painted some boots red. We wrapped a jump rope in gold foil and used toilet paper rolls as bracelets. I was the best Wonder Woman in the neighborhood that year. My father thinks I went as Aquaman!” — Dr. George Wallace, Executive Director of the LGBT+ Center Orlando
“One of my favorite costumes was later in life at ‘All Hallows,’ when the theme was Monster’s Ball. Everyone went with the traditional route of classic monsters, but I decided to go outside the box and pull off Halle Berry’s famous Eli Saab Oscar dress when she won FOR “Monster’s Ball” in 2002. It was my first time designing a costume, conceptualizing and planning all the details and truly getting into the Halloween spirit!” — Topher Larkin, Metro Inclusive Health LGBTQ & Marketing Services Manager
“I remember when I was in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade, we had a Halloween festival at my school. Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love” had just come out and I was obsessed with that song and I was obsessed with her outfit. She had like New York Yankees jersey on, the shorts, the high tops and the knee pads. I wore the whole outfit.” – Michele Rayner, Florida State Rep.
“My favorite [Halloween costume] was my first. My mom went against all advice. She let me wear makeup and a girl’s rancher (cowgirl) costume. She lied and told people I was Howdy Doody.” — Shea Cutliff, founding member of The R.I.S.E. Initiative
“I remember being so excited to be the Tin Man when I was young. Every year my entire family would pick a theme and all dress up, it’s a tradition my husband and I carry on today with our son. We even recreated the “Wizard of Oz” a few years ago with many improvements to the home-made costume, including an oil can/flask.” — Ryan Zubrick, co-owner of Zubrick Magic Theatre
“I have fond memories of our family dressing up as characters from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!” I was Willy Wonka, my husband dressed as Charlie Bucket and our son who was two at the time, was an Oompa Loompa! Every year, we look forward to picking a theme and getting the whole family involved. It’s our most favorite time of the year!” – Chris Zubrick, co-owner of Zubrick Magic Theatre
“My elementary school put on a Halloween Concert and Disney was the theme. My mom dug up my first communion tux and I wore the Mickey ears that we had bought one summer vacation. If I only knew then how much of an impact Disney would have on so many aspects of my life.” — Philip Ancheta, Central Florida-based entertainer
Watermark’s Halloween Poll:
Are you celebrating Halloween with in-person events this year?
Yes – 62% | No – 19% | Unsure – 19%
Favorite Halloween tradition
- Costume Party 49%
- Trick-or-treating 26%
- Watching scary movies 18%
- Haunted House 2%
- Carve pumpkins 1%
Top 3 favorite scary movies
- “The Exorcist”
- “The Conjuring”
- “The Shining”
Top 3 favorite types of candy to pass out to trick-or-treaters
- Reese’s peanut butter cups
- Snickers
- M&Ms
Ready for more Halloween? View all of Watermark’s Halloween 2021 coverage here.
