Haunted Trails and Ringgold Depot opening this weekend
TWO HAUNTED TRAILS AND A GHOSTLY DEPOT OPEN THIS WEEKEND
Forests at night often feel spooky, giving hikers the feeling of being watched by more than woodland creatures.
But only the brave will enter the woods at night at Acres of Darkness, the haunted trail at Audubon Acres, which opens Friday night, Oct. 13, in the wildlife sanctuary in East Brainerd.
According to Kyle Simpson, executive director of the Chattanooga Audubon Society, this year’s haunted forest has an all-new cast of 40 characters and features two trail sections — one for children, the other adults — so the whole family can get spooked.
The haunted trail’s theme deals with a mining town, The Barry Dunder Mining Co. (Get it — buried under?) The legend associated with the town says that pulled by the lure of silver and riches, a local mine owner drove his crew to the breaking point in his rush to complete a tunnel. As work progressed, a strange sickness spread among the workers and even the townspeople felt the effects of the ill-gotten ore. Because what the miners found buried was never meant to be unearthed.
Visitors on the haunted trail will pass the general store, saloon, blasting area and enter a “mine shaft” as they pass through town.
“The first 200 feet of the trail is appropriate for kids. There are no jump-scares on that, just blow-up decorations,” says Simpson. “At the end of that 200 feet, folks who don’t want to get spooked in the woods, can leave with their children and go to the family area where there will be inflatables, hay rides, black-light maze, face painting, pumpkin decorating and bonfire.”
Adults who do not wish to go down the haunted trail may accompany a paid child to the family area at no cost.
But for those who continue down the trail — they do so at their own risk.
ACRES OF DARKNESS
› Where: Audubon Acres, 900 N. Sanctuary Road › When: 8-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Oct. 13-28 ›
Admission: $15 per person, $5 discount for Chattanooga Audubon Society members › For more information: 423-892-1499
RINGGOLD HAUNTED DEPOT
› Where: 155 Depot St., Ringgold, Ga. › When: 7 p.m. Friday-Saturdays, Oct. 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 ›
Admission: $10 Haunted Depot, $3 hay ride/bonfire, $7 ghost tour, $15 combo ticket › For more information: 706-935-3061 The historic train depot in Ringgold, Ga., is usually the center of lively town events such as community festivals, theatrical productions or music concerts.
But once a year, the depot transforms into a terrifying, haunted maze of horrors that tests the bravery of visitors.
If your heart can handle a good scare, visit the Ringgold Haunted Depot, which opens Friday night, Oct. 13, and continues weekends through Oct. 28.
Live entertainment is provided while visitors wait to enter the depot. There is an old-fashioned hay ride for the faint of heart and ghost rides throughout downtown beginning at 7 p.m.
The Haunted Depot is suitable for all ages, however parental discretion is recommended for children under 10 years of age.
CRAZED HILLBILLIES HAUNTED TRAIL
› Where: Enterprise South Nature Park, 190 Still Hollow Loop ›
When: 4-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 13-14 › Admission: $20 per carload, cash only, additional charges for food and inflatables › For more information: 423-893-3500 Two trails are also offered at Enterprise South Nature Park this weekend, divided by their scare factors.
Big Bubba and his deranged hillbilly family will be waiting for you on a half-mile haunted trail in the woods, which includes a hay ride, pallet maze and terrors around every bend. This haunted attraction will be open only Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14, from 7 to 10 p.m.
Because the Haunted Trail is pretty intense, and not recommended for small children, there will be a kid-friendly decorated trail open from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Too Cute to Spook will offer face painting, Touch a Fire Truck, Read 20 readalouds and other entertainment geared to ages 10 and younger. Inflatables will be a nominal additional charge.
More haunts and horrors DREAD HOLLOW
› Where: Dread Hollow, 321 Browns Ferry Road ›
When: 7 p.m.-midnight Thursdays-Sundays and Oct. 31 ›
Admission: $20, $30 for RIP fast pass
THE HAUNTED BARN
› Where: 5017 McDonald Road, McDonald, Tenn. ›
When: 7 p.m.- midnight, Fridays and Saturdays › Admission: $20
HAUNTED HILLTOP
› Where: 8235 Highway 58 in Harrison › When: 7 p.m. to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays › Admission: $20