Trunk or Treat | Presented by Miracle Toyota – Haines City Sat. Oct. 25th | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Lake Eva Park
Trunk or Treat is tomorrow! Here is all of the important information you will need to know to have the best time ever!
The trunks (vendors) will be set up in the great lawn, 3rd Street parking lot, and around the tennis courts/screened in pavilion. This will allow for public parking in the Aquatics Center parking lot. Additionally, parking is available at the Lake Eva Event Center parking lot, the Community Center parking lot, and along Ledwith Ave. (and any other open streets).
While lines will form because the vendors will be set up around the perimeter of the park, there is no designated starting or ending point for this event. Feel free to walk about the park to each vendor at your leisure. The Haines City Parks & Rec tents will be set up in front of the bandshell and will be giving out trick or treating bags, candy, water & juice pouches, and donuts (while supplies last).
NEW THIS YEAR
There will be an inflatable haunted house in the middle of the park. Step inside (if you dare) for a frightfully fun experience that’s perfect for all ages.
The screened-in pavilion will be set up with festive photo backdrops — the perfect spot to snap those fang-tastic costume pics with family and friends!
Reminder: the event kicks-off at 9:00 a.m., but will be here until 11:30 a.m.. Make your way to Lake Eva Park whenever you’re ready!
A big thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible: Miracle Toyota – Haines City Iceberg Home Services StoreRight Self-Storage
Welcome, World Travelers! Frozen Ever After Getting New Animatronics by James Coulter
For the first time in forever, the nearly decade-old Frozen Ever After attraction is set to appear brand new with new animatronic figures and other refurbishments.
Located at the Norway Pavilion in Disney’s EPCOT Center, Frozen Ever After has been enchanting guests since its debut in 2016. Now, the attraction is set to close for much-needed refurbishments in early 2026.
The biggest change will be the animatronic characters, which currently use rear projection mapping for the characters’ facial expressions. However, while initially innovative for the time, these features have experienced “technical difficulties” over the years.
As That Park Place reports:
“Over time, guests and observers have reported problems with the projection system. For instance, faces have gone dark (displaying blank or black screens) during portions of the show, making the heads appear empty. Some observers have also remarked on alignment issues.
Additionally, lighting conditions and visual contrast between projected faces and mechanical bodies can create an unnatural effect. Guests have noted a certain uncanny valley effect, even when the animatronics are working as designed.”
The figures are planned to be upgraded with sculpted, physical faces, like the animatronic figures used within Frozen attractions at Hong Kong and Tokyo Disneyland.
These figures will utilize new technology, like all-electric motors, 3D printing, that has been developed by Disney Imagineering since the attractions first opened nearly ten years ago.
A lot has changed since then, but even when the attraction was new, many of its features proved innovative at the time, specifically for the Elsa animatronic character.
As Mallory Heinz Ledet, Public Relations Manager, wrote on Disney Parks Blog:
“To build the attraction and make it feel like the enchanted Frozen story, it all came down to one wrist. Elsa is known for her magical, ice-forming hand gestures; for her Audio-Animatronics figure to handle the fluid movements just like Elsa does on screen, Imagineers needed enough space to run cables and motors down her arms and hands. They figured out how big Elsa’s wrist needed to be and scaled everything else in the attraction to match.”
Frozen Ever After can still be enjoyed in its current iteration from now until early next year at Disney’s EPCOT Center.
“The supersonic Concorde jet makes its last commercial passenger flight, traveling at twice the speed of sound from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to London’s Heathrow Airport on October 24, 2003. The British Airways jet carried 100 passengers, including actress Joan Collins, model Christie Brinkley and an Ohio couple who reportedly paid $60,000 on eBay for two tickets (a roundtrip trans-Atlantic fare typically cost about $9,000). A large crowd of spectators greeted the plane’s arrival in London, which coincided with two other final Concorde flights from Edinburgh and the Bay of Biscay.
Photo source Wikipedia
The Concorde, which was developed jointly by the British and French governments, began commercial service in January 1976. A significant achievement in aviation technology and design, the sleek, delta-winged planes could make the trip from New York to London in around three and a half hours, traveling at 1,350 miles per hour. The Concorde became a symbol of speed and luxury, although it was not without its problems. Some who lived under its flight path criticized the enormous noise it produced. And, tragically, on July 25, 2000, an Air France jet crashed after takeoff from Paris, killing all 109 people on board and four others on the ground. All Concorde flights were grounded for over a year after the incident.
Citing rising operating costs and reduced ticket sales, British Airways retired its Concorde fleet in October 2003. Air France, the only other Concorde carrier, had permanently grounded its jets in May 2003. However, the allure of the Concorde was so powerful that when the airlines auctioned off spare parts from their fleets shortly after their retirement, many items sold for significantly more than their suggested price. For example, a blanket valued at $100 sold for $2,000, a door sold for $33,000, and a needle nose sold for $550,000.
In August 2020 Virgin Galactic announced plans to partner with carmaker Rolls Royce to develop a supersonic passenger plane capable of flying three times the speed of sound. And in June 2021, United Airlines announced plans to return a supersonic trans-Atlantic airliner to the skies. The 88-seater jets, produced by the U.S. start-up firm Boom Supersonic, could slash flight times in half—making a flight from London to Newark, N.J. in three and a half hours.”
Welcome, World Travelers! Frozen Ever After Getting New Animatronics by James Coulter
For the first time in forever, the nearly decade-old Frozen Ever After attraction is set to appear brand new with new animatronic figures and other refurbishments.
Located at the Norway Pavilion in Disney’s EPCOT Center, Frozen Ever After has been enchanting guests since its debut in 2016. Now, the attraction is set to close for much-needed refurbishments in early 2026.
The biggest change will be the animatronic characters, which currently use rear projection mapping for the characters’ facial expressions. However, while initially innovative for the time, these features have experienced “technical difficulties” over the years.
As That Park Place reports:
“Over time, guests and observers have reported problems with the projection system. For instance, faces have gone dark (displaying blank or black screens) during portions of the show, making the heads appear empty. Some observers have also remarked on alignment issues.
Additionally, lighting conditions and visual contrast between projected faces and mechanical bodies can create an unnatural effect. Guests have noted a certain uncanny valley effect, even when the animatronics are working as designed.”
The figures are planned to be upgraded with sculpted, physical faces, like the animatronic figures used within Frozen attractions at Hong Kong and Tokyo Disneyland.
These figures will utilize new technology, like all-electric motors, 3D printing, that has been developed by Disney Imagineering since the attractions first opened nearly ten years ago.
A lot has changed since then, but even when the attraction was new, many of its features proved innovative at the time, specifically for the Elsa animatronic character.
As Mallory Heinz Ledet, Public Relations Manager, wrote on Disney Parks Blog:
“To build the attraction and make it feel like the enchanted Frozen story, it all came down to one wrist. Elsa is known for her magical, ice-forming hand gestures; for her Audio-Animatronics figure to handle the fluid movements just like Elsa does on screen, Imagineers needed enough space to run cables and motors down her arms and hands. They figured out how big Elsa’s wrist needed to be and scaled everything else in the attraction to match.”
Frozen Ever After can still be enjoyed in its current iteration from now until early next year at Disney’s EPCOT Center.
Winter Haven is the place to be this weekend for live music, karaoke, and great vibes! Whether you enjoy laid-back acoustic tunes, energetic bands, or fun-filled karaoke nights, there’s something happening every day at your favorite local spots.
Weekly Live Music
Sage Cocktail Lounge
When: Every Tuesday, 2:00–10:00 p.m. Next Event: October 28 Address: 99 3rd St NW, Winter Haven
Thursday, October 23
Out-n-About Bar and Music Lounge
Karaoke from 7:00–11:00 p.m. Address: 28390 US-27, Dundee
Cypresswood Pub
DJ Steve & Karaoke from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Address: 1099 Clubhouse Rd, Winter Haven
Friday, October 24
Tanners Lakeside
Live music featuring Summit Kings from 7:00–10:00 p.m. Address: 1006 S Lake Howard Dr, Winter Haven
Saturday, October 25
Tanners Lakeside
Live music featuring 99 in the Shade Plus: Costume Contest from 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 26
Tanners Lakeside
Live music featuring Running Reckless from 2:00–6:00 p.m.
If you’d like your venue’s live music or weekend entertainment featured, email [email protected].
Get out, support local music, and enjoy your weekend in Winter Haven!
PCSO deputies responded to a residence on Lanier Lane in Winter Haven on Tuesday evening, October 21st, to locate a suspect.
The deputies found 32-year old Lindsey Linnea Parker there and convinced her to surrender without incident.
She was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center where she was charged with: Harassing & Intimidating and Tampering with a Witness.
Those charges stem from allegations of Ms. Parker contacting a victim of a burglary & battery, and telling the victim that it would be in the victim’s “best interest to drop the charges.”
Lindsey Parker has an extensive criminal history to include: Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, Battery on LEO, Aggravated Assault on LEO, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, Fleeing to Elude LEO, Felony DWLSR, DUI, Simple Battery, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Drug Paraphernalia. She has been sentenced to Florida State Prison two separate times for a total of 2.5 years and was released in 2022. She is currently on felony probation with the Department of Corrections for Fleeing to Elude LEO and DUI.
A teacher from Lake Shipp Elementary School in Winter Haven was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, after an investigation determined she falsely reported that another teacher had intentionally bumped her at the school.
45-year old Juanita McCoy originally contacted the Sheriff’s Office on October 19thto report that she was “shoulder-checked” by Latonya Miller, another teacher at the school, and a former friend of McCoy’s.
During the investigation, McCoy stopped cooperating with deputies and declined to provide any more information.
While interviewing Ms. Miller, she denied making contact with McCoy. Miller said that the two women were walking toward each other on a walkway when McCoy partially blocked the path, forcing Miller to walk around.
Security video of the incident was reviewed by deputies and it corroborated Ms. Miller’s account of the incident showing that no contact was made as the women passed.
“The people who work in our schools are entrusted with the care of our children. Not only do they provide education, but they’re also role models who have an impact on their students’ ethics and behavior. Accusing an innocent person of a crime is a serious matter, and a waste of law enforcement resources.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Ms. Miller informed the deputy that this was actually the second time such an incident has occurred.
According to Miller, McCoy made accusations to the PCSO that Miller had intentionally bumped her at the school in February of 2020. That investigation was closed with no charges filed after both women signed waivers of prosecution.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Juanita McCoy was arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center where she was charged with False Report of a Crime to Law Enforcement (M1).
Check Out This Haunted Yard in Auburndale on Oct. 31, Starting at 6:30 PM
by James Coulter
Ever since he first stepped into a Spirit Halloween at the ripe age of five, Matthew Reynolds has been collecting hundreds of Halloween decorations and animatronic figures.
Every Halloween, Matthew showcases his Halloween animatronic collection with his Haunted Yard. This year’s display will be at the same spot, 136 Patterson Dr., Auburndale, on Fri. Oct. 31 from 6:30 PM – 12 AM.
Recently, Matthews appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss his collection and his upcoming display.
Here’s a sample of the answers he provided for the interview questions:
Q. Tell me a little bit about yourself. I hear you have a massive collection of animatronic Halloween figures. How many do you have? And how long have you been collecting them?
A. I have a collection of over 70 animatronics and even more static decor. I’ve been collecting since I can remember. My family used to buy 1 or two animatronics a year, but when I was around 8, I started getting them for Christmas and started really collecting them. Now I’ve had a history with Spirit working in management…so I’ve collected more and more. I mainly buy the older ones off eBay as they’re more classic Halloween and cooler to show off.
Q. What inspired you to start collecting all of these animatronics and decorations? I hear it was a fateful day when you stepped into a Spirit Halloween store as a little kid?
A. My inspiration came from my family being into Halloween and doing small displays with a couple of animatronics. Then, as I grew up, I found the community on YouTube. Since then, I’ve gotten into collecting them and even learned how to repair them due to growing up with these videos. I remember the first time I stepped into Spirit. I was particularly fascinated by the zombie baby animatronics.
Q. Aside from collecting these figures, you also repair and modify them, correct? Tell me a little bit about your skills and how they’ve developed over the years.
A. Over time, especially over the past 5 years, I’ve learned how to repair almost anything. I’ve learned mostly hands-on, but as a kid, I would watch YouTube videos of other collectors repairing props, and then I started learning hands-on. Now I can repair almost anything, from broken gears, wires, LEDs, motors, etc.
Q. Now every year, you showcase all of your decorations at your place with a massive haunted house walkthrough. Tell me a little bit about that and the effort that goes into that.
A. The Halloween haunt is a year-round planning project. It started as a small family haunt when I was a kid. Then, when I was around 10, I started getting into the haunt myself. Then I started taking it over completely myself and doing these elaborate displays. Each of my haunts is unique every year, each year has a theme, and each section of the yard is themed. It’s almost like a Halloween Horror Nights-themed house. The planning is extensive and all year round to ensure the best animatronic placement and best arrangement for the theme of that year. Each year only gets more impressive. Last year was the absolute best with a giant cemetery you can walk through, a farm section, and an actual indoor walkthrough area. I buy animatronics to collect year-round, so there are always so many new things to see. I never want guests to have the same experience every year.
Q. And what can visitors come to expect from this year’s haunted yard event? Any new spooks and scares planned?
A. This year’s haunt will feature a brand new, impressive vintage-style carnival you can walk through, tents with vintage animatronic clowns, and more. Even more scares are included this year, but we’ll keep that a surprise for the guests. Even more horror icons will be featured in this year’s display.
