Guavaween changes will be 'phenomenal'

YBOR CITY - Guavaween this year is going back to its "Guavaroots," said Mama Guava. "The parade this year is going back to our original concept of lack of dignitaries, lack of floats, and especially a lack of taste," she said.

No floats will be at Guavaween this Halloween. Instead, revelers will enjoy a parade of small acts and entertainment like the old days. "We had creativity like nobody had ever seen. Then over the years it started to mimic that other parade in town that we don't like to talk about so much. Gaspar something," said Mama Guava.

She also says this year will be so phenomenal that it will take the "bor" our of Ybor. Organizers say the event will be very different and shocking. "What we wanted to do was make it creative this year. What we wanted to do was bring out fire breathers and fan performers," explained band Soulidium's Michael McKnight.

The costume contest will still be a favorite. The stakes are high. First prize is $2000. "I'm creating my own goblin costume. This is what I'm doing: I'm going to hook my little face up real good with some make-up and stuff, but I'm going to get this big ol' thing and make it like a cape," said Bobby Adams, visiting from Chicago to celebrate his first Guavaween.

But Guavaween might be most special this year to Krystal Ahmad, who's getting married in Ybor. "I did it on purpose. Halloween's a special date between me and my fiancé," Ahmad said. They became a couple on Halloween. "It's going to be awesome. The wedding ends at 10:30 and then everyone's going to come out into the streets and party."

Guavaween starts at 2 p.m. Admission is $17 after 2 p.m. The parade begins at 8:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens promises haunted houses and creepy coasters. "The evil Mr. Nightshade has this toy factory where he's creating toys that may come to life and do a little bit of harm to you," Howl-O-Scream Creative Director Scott Swenson told FOX 13.

Halloween is the last night of Howl-O-Scream.