Fort Lauderdale may not have falling leaves, but we can still celebrate the season with Pumpkins & Palm Trees! The Third Annual Pumpkins & Palm Trees Fall Fest returns to The LOOP on Fort Lauderdale Beach with an expanded weekend-long celebration, Oct. 20–22. Attendees can celebrate the fall season steps from the sand under the sun and swaying palms.

The free, family-friendly event will provide a festive atmosphere with local vendors, live music, an inflatable corn maze, children’s arts & crafts CORNer, and more to celebrate Fall’s arrival, South Florida-style. Throughout the weekend, attendees can sip, shop and stroll over three dozen food, art and fashion vendors and fill their phones with memories at several Fall and Halloween-themed photo stations.

Families and their four-legged friends are encouraged to dress in costume to capture Instagramable moments at the new 7’ tall walkthrough Pumpkin House and expanded Pumpkin Patch. The LOOP has partnered with Mr. Jack O’ Lantern’s to bring the fall spirit to Fort Lauderdale for a one-stop shop experience. An assortment of premium pumpkins will be available for purchase ranging in size from minis (3 for $6) to medicine balls ($16). Pumpkin decorating kits are also available to preorder online for $10 at theloopflb.com/events/fallfest2023/ and include one classic orange pumpkin, an all-white pumpkin, or a striped “cantaloupe” pumpkin, with a choice of a mermaid, shark, or marine life premium foam decorating kit. In addition to pumpkins, seasonal décor will be available for purchase, including potted mums, cornstalks, scarecrows, and Indian corn bundles.

In Pie We Crust! The LOOP has once again teamed up with Fort Lauderdale Magazine and Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Broward Chapter, to find the Best Pie in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Professional and cottage industry bakers along with Broward County Public Schools’ culinary programs are invited to show off their pumpkin spice and everything nice in the Third Annual “Best Pie in Greater Fort Lauderdale” Competition on Sunday, Oct. 22. Pies will be judged by some of South Florida’s favorite foodies including Fort Lauderdale Magazine Vice President Deb Cay; Freelance Writer Jesse Scott; WPLG Local 10 Entertainment Host Alexis Frazier; NBC 6’s “South Florida Live” Host Kristin Sanchez; Thrillist Contributor Matt Meltzer; and Riverside Hotel’s Executive Pastry Chef Sabrina Courtemanche. Miriam Tapia, NBC 6 and Telemundo 51’s community reporter, will emcee the event. The best sweet, savory and creative pie presentation will win gift cards and prizes.

The full Pumpkins & Palm Tree Fall Fest lineup includes:

Movies by Moonlight | Friday, Oct. 20, 5–10 p.m.

• Bring lawn chairs, blankets, family, friends and pups for The LOOP’s Halloween edition of Movies by Moonlight on the main lawn at Las Olas Oceanside Park. Come early to capture the moment and take home photos from Scooby-Doo’s Mystery Machine Van, shop the people and pets marketplace, or grab a bite at The LOOP’s food court for dinner and a movie experience under the stars. Limited chairs and blankets are available to borrow.

• Featured Film: Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo (Not Rated)

• Synopsis: Scooby-Doo and Shaggy’s favorite holiday is upon us! With fake monsters and candy galore – Halloween is heaven for these hungry foodies going door-to-door. But, this year, their sweet holiday turns sour when the neighborhood pumpkin patch is infected by a toxic ooze, creating high-flying jack-o-lanterns and a king-sized pumpkin leader squashing everything in its path. It’s up to Scooby-Doo and the gang as they team up with their pals, Bill Nye, The Science Guy, and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, to solve this mystery of gigantic proportions and save Crystal Cove!

• Cost: Free and open to the public. Family and pet-friendly. Costumes are encouraged.

• Time:

o 5–10 p.m.: Marketplace vendors

o 5–8 p.m.: Scooby Doo Mystery Machine photo booth

o 7:30 p.m.: Movie begins (80-minute run time)

Happy HOWL-O-Ween at The MKT at Las Olas Oceanside Park | Saturday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

• 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Sip, shop, and stroll local food vendors, makers and artisans. Take in breathtaking beach views and enjoy the ocean breeze while perusing an eclectic array of traditional market fare ranging from fresh produce and fruit to global flavors, made-to-order foods and handmade and homemade items to wear and decorate the home.

Unleash the Halloween spirit! Join The LOOP for a pet-friendly experience from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., for exciting activities, including an agility course, bobbing for tennis balls, pet vendors, giveaways and more designed for a spooktacular time. Guests are invited to get down with their dogs for dog-friendly yoga at 9:30 a.m.

• Additional activities include:

o Fall and Halloween-themed photo stations, including a 7’ tall walkthrough Pumpkin House

o Mr. Jack O’ Lantern’s Pumpkin Patch – pumpkins and fall décor are available for purchase

o Live Music and Entertainment, 12–3 p.m.

o Fall-themed workshops and tastings

Third Annual Pumpkins & Palm Trees Fall Fest | Sunday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

• 9:30–11 a.m.: Third Annual “Best Pie in Greater Fort Lauderdale” Competition

• 10 a.m.–3 p.m.:

o Sip, Shop and Stroll more than three-dozen local food vendors, makers and artisans

o Fall and Halloween-themed photo stations, including a 7’ tall walkthrough Pumpkin House

o Mr. Jack O’ Lantern’s Pumpkin Patch – pumpkins and fall décor are available for purchase

o Children’s Arts & Crafts Corner with make-and-take crafts (while supplies last)

o 1,600 sq. ft. inflatable corn maze

o Instagramable photo stations

o Tabletop and Lawn Games

o Cooking demonstrations and Fall-themed workshops

• 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Trick or Treat Trail with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts

o The Broward Center Spotlights will treat children ages 2–12 with both sweets and sweet tunes from popular theater productions. Guests are encouraged to stick around for the band break at 1:15 p.m. when this talented group of aspiring talents will take to the stage for a spooktacular performance.

• 12–3 p.m.: Live music: Joey Calderaio Band

o South Florida’s rising reggae star, Joey Calderaio, effortlessly blends rock, reggae and pop influences, amassing 1.3 million Spotify streams. Collaborations with artists like Nathan Aurora, Howi Spangler and more, further bolstered his recognition. Calderaio re-released his debut “Moving Mountains (Deluxe Edition)” in 2021, offering diverse covers and dub mixes. He dazzles on stage both solo and with his skilled band, with recent highlights at Sunfest 2022 and Reggae Rise Up FL 2021. Noteworthy partnerships include Ky-Mani Marley and Tribal Seeds. His latest album, “Chasing Constellations,” debuted in November 2022, cementing his musical journey.

Where:

Las Olas Oceanside Park: 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

The most convenient place to park to access the event is the Las Olas Beach Parking Garage, where the PayByPhone payment option can be used, and parking can be extended from anywhere using the mobile PayByPhone APP.

Cost:

Free and open to the public.

Pumpkins are available to purchase on Saturday & Sunday.

Pre-ordered pumpkin decorating kits are available to reserve online at theloopflb.com/events/fallfest2023/.

How:

For more information or to enter the Third Annual “Best Pie in Greater Fort Lauderdale” Competition, visit theloopflb.com/events/fallfest2023/.

About The LOOP

A cornerstone of activity, The LOOP (Las Olas Oceanside Park) is the central hub of the new $65 million four-park system at the heart of Fort Lauderdale Beach. The public greenspaces, including the Intracoastal Promenade, Las Olas Beach Garage Sunset Terrace, and DC Alexander Park, aim to provide infinite experiences for everyone under the sun and year-round activity in Fort Lauderdale’s oceanfront backyard. Through its four pillars, “FAME,” The LOOP offers a variety of special events, activities, and unique local experiences for all, including free concerts, holiday happenings, farmer’s markets, community workouts, and more. The LOOP also includes an interactive water feature/splash pad for children and adults. As part of its environmental commitment, the City of Fort Lauderdale partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on dual-light fixtures that use amber lighting during sea turtle nesting season. The park’s artificial turf covering requires no watering. The LOOP is estimated to generate $32 million in tourism dollars through recreation and events in 2023.

For more information, visit theloopflb.com or contact info@theloopflb.com. Follow The LOOP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theloopflb and Instagram at www.instagram.com/theloopflb/.