Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
GETTING INTO CHARACTER — Macy Palmer, right, gets some help with her makeup from Emily Simas Friday evening as part of the Linneus Haunted Hayride. The spooktacular event has scared up more than 1,400 individuals over the past two weekends. The final weekend of performances is this Friday and Saturday at the Linneus Sno Club.
Linneus haunted hayride promises Halloween scare
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
LINNEUS — If the past two weekend’s gate figures are any indication, the Linneus Sno Club’s Haunted Hayride is going to scare up a lot of money for recreation programs.
According to Brenda Carmen, one of the event organizers, about 1,800 people went on the Haunted Hayride in the first two weekends of the three-week event. The Haunted Hayride will hold its final weekend of rides this Friday and Saturday evening.
The 26-minute ride is nearly a mile in length and features 38 different horror scenes. Scenes range from the startling sounds coming from the forest to full-blown actor presentations, mostly using seniors from Hodgdon High School and eighth-graders from Mill Pond School.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photos/Joseph Cyr
SPOOKTACULAR — The Linneus Haunted Hayride has completed its second of three weekend productions and thus far, more than 1,800 people have gone through the gates of “Something Unknown.” IKarissa Harris and Jeff Wheeler play the roles of a haunted bride and groom.
“We don’t want to give too much away, but it’s got all kinds of blood, guts and gore,” Carmen said. “There’s a big mix of things, with aliens, chainsaw massacre guys, anything we can come up with. We try to come up with something new every year.”
One of the new attractions is the alien encounter, featuring a gigantic UFO covered in lights.
The Haunted Hayride has grown dramatically over the past 10 years. The event began as a short ride with one wagon through the fields of Linneus. Two additional wagons have been added, but demand is still such that patrons are encouraged to arrive early to ensure they get a chance to see the show.
“We were trying to find ways to raise money for town rec programs and thought we’d try a hayride,” said Carmen. “We’ve been doing it ever since. We’re just growing each year with more and more people helping and viewing.”
Roughly 118 volunteers, including students, helped put the event together this year. Volunteer duties range from serving as actors for the various scenes to make-up specialists to wagon drivers. The high school and middle school students receive a portion of the gate to use for class trips and projects.
The ride costs $5 per person. The first wagon leaves at 6:30 p.m. The ride is not recommended for small children. Refreshments are also available inside the Linneus Sno Club.
A chainsaw wielding mad man chases after the trailer
