Goblins, ghosts scare up Haunted Hayride
WILTON, N.Y. >> October is when many people take autumn leaf-peeping trips to enjoy Mother Nature’s colorful handiwork throughout upstate New York and New England.
Tim Fabian, of Fort Edward, spent a week’s worth of vacation time to help a good cause, the John Vincek Memorial Haunted Hayride, a fundraiser for Wilton-based Operation Adopt A Soldier.
The Halloween-themed activity got off to a funfilled start Friday and continues from 5-10 p.m Saturday, and next Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2627, at Gavin Park in Wilton.
“I’ve been spending my week here and days off before that,” Fabian said Friday, while putting
finishing touches on displays. “It’s a great cause to support what our soldiers, our men and women in uniform, are doing.
“This is one small thing I can do to give back to them.”
Operation Adopt A Soldier sends nearly 300 care packages per month to troops stationed overseas in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Korea. The Haunted Hayride’s timing is critical as many packages are sent out in the weeks prior to Christmas, shortly after Halloween.
Fabian got involved several years ago when his son, Jacob, needed a community service project for National Honor Society.
“I came to this one year and fell in love with it,” he said.
Now he’s in charge of the Hayride, which passes through a wooded area filled with frightful experiences, complete with light and sound effects. A portion of the ride goes through a large stand of corn, where a headless horseman appears in bone-chilling fashion.
Dozens of people have been spent months preparing the attraction, which includes actors dressed up in ghoulish costumes.
“We try to change things up every year with new features,” Fabian said.
Hayrides were begun in 2004 with help from Vincek Farm owner John Vincek, who passed away last year. The event is held on Vincek family property, adjacent to Gavin Park.
Ten percent of proceeds are for the John Vincek Memorial, which is dedicated to combating cancer and funding cancer research.
For teens and adults, the Haunted Hayride is open from 5-10 p.m.
However, a less scary version of the ride is available for “Little Screamers” from 4-6 p.m. There will also be games and a bounce house for kids in the Gavin Park gym until 9 p.m. Costume judging is set for 6:30 p.m.