BRADENTON BEACH – The Bridge Tender Inn in Bradenton Beach threw a spectacular party on Halloween night.
With that end of Bay Drive South closed for the occasion, the Halloween street party featured a pet costume contest, an adult costume contest, an afternoon trail of treats for youngsters, a multitude of larger-than-life automatons, smoke-filled bubbles, a haunted house, palm readers, live music by Brigid’s Cross and more.
And once again, the fun-filled party raised more than $1,000 for the Sarasota-based Vintage Paws Sanctuary that provides homes, medical treatment and assistance for older dogs and terminally ill dogs, including some who’ve been orphaned by the deaths of their senior owners.
While enjoying a cocktail, Bridge Tender Inn owner Fred Bartizal said, “We’ve been hosting our Halloween party for about eight years and it gets bigger and better every year. The haunted house is in the dining room and it’s the best we’ve ever had… We do this to draw people to the area and some who’ve never been here before. People have a lot of fun and we raise a lot of money for Vintage Paws.”
Paulie Baker, from Brigid’s Cross, served as the master of ceremonies and announcer for the pet costume contest that started around 5:15 p.m. He served in the same role for the adult costume contest that started around 8:30 p.m.
“Abby the Halloween Witch” won the pet costume contest that featured four decked-out dogs.
“It was a knockdown drag-out decision by the judges between ‘Abby the Halloween Witch’ and ‘Molly the Racecar Champ,’” Baker announced.
Abby’s win earned her a dog bowl and a Frisbee. Molly finished a close second. Sunrise (dressed as Santa’s helper) and the stylish canine tandem of Ocean Lee and Lovey Lee tied for third place.
After the contest, Bridge Tender Inn General Manager Sue Shinka said, “We put everything into our party and it shows. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
Shinka said she expected the party to attract 500 or more revelers, adding, “We had a bunch of kids here this afternoon for the trail of treats. We put the lights on and everything and some of them got a little scared.”
Assistant General Manager Shannon Dunnan said, “This is our best haunted house. It’s very creepy and scary.”
Bridge Tender Inn employee Beth Murphy said, “I’ve been here six years and this is the best one yet, for kids and adults.”
Dressed as Lieutenant Dan from the “Forrest Gump” movie, Frankie won the adult costume contest and took home a $100 Bridge Tender Inn gift certificate.
Sporting canes and cocktails, a trio of women dressed as “Three Blind Mice” finished second.
Adorned in green evening gowns and dressed as “Saturday Night & Sunday Morning” Lory and William claimed third place in the costume contest.
When contacted the next day, Shinka said, “As we walked around, people told us it was the best Halloween party ever. We had people coming out of the haunted house laughing and smiling. Victor spent two and a half weeks working on the haunted house and he did a great job.”
