The St. Pete Beach city commission approved a wet zone permit for a couple of restaurants who want to host a Halloween street party Friday night and the mayor believes it'll be an interesting test.

"It'll be the first time on this end of West Corey Avenue that we'll have a bandstand and a wet zone for Halloween," Mayor Maria Lowe said. "It will be an interesting test. I'm most interested to get the feedback from the sheriff's deputies about the extent of the wet zone."

Both Shark Tales and Crab Daddy's were granted the permit to shutdown a portion of 75th Avenue and Sunset Way from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., with two live bands scheduled to play until 10 p.m. The owner of Shark Tales, Bill Rovillo, said he knows what's at stake. The restaurant owner said they've prepared by hiring four extra deputies and having plenty of garbage cans around.

"It will be a test and we have plenty of security on hand. We're going to keep the riff raff out," Rovillo said. "Should be good family entertainment early in the evening and then maybe a little different in the evening with the adults. Nonetheless, it won't be rowdy."

Earlier this year, the city received complaints about the Post Card Inn hosting rowdy parties and patrons littering on the beach. Rovillo said he's going to be careful not to make the same mistake.

"We want to be able to do it again," he said. "New Year's Eve would be nice but definitely every year for Halloween we'd like to do that."

Mayor Lowe said she hopes deputies armed with sound meters will help keep complaints to a minimum.

"We're hoping that by adhering to the noise ordinance, which is 10 o'clock, that the bandstand that will be going that will diminish some of the complaints in the residential areas," she said. "The test will really be those after 10 p.m. hours."

A couple of residents said they think a street party where you can drink anywhere you want is a great idea.

"It's a party time. Everybody's down here on vacation or live here and that's what they want to do," said Diane McNamara. "Especially, on Halloween."

"As long as you keep things under control and nobody gets out of line and somebody's around taking care of things, it's great," said Bob McNamara.

Rovillo said the street party will feature costume contests for dogs, children and adults. There'll also be games and a magician.