KYLERTOWN – A group of volunteers has been preparing for the second-ever Kylertown Haunted Hayride, which will be held Oct. 23-24.
Volunteers have been building displays and props, which will double the number of “hauntings” along the route.
Due to last year’s overwhelming public response, organizers have arranged for three hay wagons to be operational this year.
“It’s expected the addition of a third wagon will reduce the wait time and make a more enjoyable evening for all visitors,” stated organizers.
According to organizers, last year’s Kylertown Haunted Hayride was their first attempt at the event, and the response from area residents was phenomenal.
More than 500 souls rode the 45-minute hayride, which pleased organizers. The public response convinced organizers that the Haunted Hayride should become an annual event in Kylertown, providing a family-friendly event for the Halloween Season.
Hayrides will once again be pulled by real farm tractors, and visitors will sit on hay bales, as they ride the hay wagon. All rides will begin and end at the Kylertown Athletic Field Park on Kyler Lane in Kylertown.
Hayrides will start at 6 p.m. and continue throughout the evening on both nights. The route will once again travel over the former Ames Airport grounds and North runway.
The airport was last used as an airfield in the 1970’s and has been dormant ever since. Local legend says the Ames Airport grounds itself are haunted. This story, as well as other haunting tales, will be told during the hayride event.
For the children, there will be child-friendly barrel-ride, which will take the children in a circle around one of the baseball diamonds. The children’s hayride will never leave sight of the loading area, allowing parents peace of mind for their children’s safety.
In addition, there will be children’s activities and games in the Athletic field’s picnic pavilion to provide a fun evening for the little ones.
The athletic field’s concession stand will be open both evenings. Hot chocolate, soda, sloppy joes, hot dogs and pumpkin pie will be served. New at the concession stand for 2015 will be the addition of bean soup cooked over an open fire.
Earlier this year, the Kylertown area lost a friend and community leader. Robert “Bob” Fisch passed away unexpectedly, and the Kylertown Community Association has decided to donate a portion of the 2015 event proceeds to Bob Fisch Family Memorial Fund.
Fisch was instrumental in making the first Kylertown Haunted Hayride a success. “Without Bob we would not have had farm tractors or hay wagons to transport people over the haunted hayride route,” said organizers.
“Bob gave his time, provided the needed equipment and brought others into our circle of volunteers. The Haunted Hayride Committee will miss Bob’s involvement and support in 2015.”
For more information about the Kylertown Haunted Hayride or the Kylertown Community Association, please visit the group’s Web site at www.kylertown.org.
