Linneus Haunted Hayride returns to scare up some fun

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    Ghosts, ghouls, thrills and chills are all part of the norm at this time of year thanks to a pair of Halloween-themed activities slated for Linneus and Stacyville.
    This Friday and Saturday kicks off the opening weekend of the popular Linneus Haunted Hayride. Located in the woods of the Linneus Sno Sports Clubhouse on the Bangor Road, the Haunted Hayride has become an annual fall tradition. The hayride will also be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23 and again on Friday, Oct. 29.
    “It’s going to be bigger and better than ever,” said Mike Lane, one of the event organizers. “We have added a lot of new attractions that are sure to scare.”
    The roughly 26-minute ride is nearly a mile in length and features about 40 different horror scenes. Scenes range from the startling sounds coming from the forest to full-blown actor recreations of famous horror movies such as chainsaw wielding maniacs, witches flying overhead and plenty of blood and gore.
    So, where does the inspiration for new horror scenes come from each year?
    “We are sick people,” Lane said. “We go on other haunted hayrides and get ideas from that and we also write stuff down as to what worked well and what didn’t. We’re always researching new ways to scare people.”
    “We started this year, about five weeks ago, organizing this event,” Lane said. “The amount of work that goes into this is unbelievable.”
    The hayride, which serves as a fundraiser for the Linneus Recreation program, has grown dramatically over the past 11 years. It 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.
    Last year, the attraction drew more than 3,000 patrons to the six-acre haunted forest. Roughly 150 individuals, many of whom are students, are involved with putting on the event. The ride costs $5 for adults and $4 for children with the first wagon leaving at about 6:30 p.m. The ride is not recommended for small children. Refreshments, including free hot chocolate and coffee, as well other items to purchase are available inside the Linneus Sno Club. T-shirts will also be sold.
    Not to be outdone, Katahdin High School will hold its annual Haunted House on Friday, Oct. 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the high school. The cost is $5 per person and features several frightful attractions. Children under 10 are not admitted to Katahdin’s Haunted House.