Halloween
in the Park will
scare the yell out of you
By James Rada Jr.
News Editor
THURMONT, Md. - When the sun sets on Oct. 27, Community Park
will change like a werewolf in the full moon. The shady park
with playgrounds and a fitness trail will vanish and in its
place will be a ghostly town of thrills and chills.
"Expect
the unexpected," said Mike Toms with Death Valley Inc.
who has helped create Halloween in the Park for the past three
years.
This
year will be the fifth year for Halloween in the Park and
the fun begins at 6 p.m. at Community Park.
"We're
trying to add a little bit each year," Toms said. "It
will have lots of fun, good, safe things for kids to do."
Things
begin with a short parade from the town office to Community
Park.
"When
we get to the park, we'll do a meet-and-greet to let the kids
know we're not going to hurt them," Toms said.
One
of things being emphasized this year is the kid-friendly nature
of the event. In the past some smaller children have been
frightened by the costumes and hay ride. Besides the meet-and-greet,
one hay ride each hour will be non-scary so smaller children
can enjoy it.
Kids
can also get a map of the park at the gingerbread house and
work toward getting stamps at different locations. If you
get all of the stamps, you'll qualify for prizes.
Another
area of the park will be Thurmont's "Maim Street"
with shops where kids can get treats.
Other
events include a magic show, karaoke and a DJ who will be
playing music.
"We
want to have a lot of things for them to do and keep it a
family event," said Town Commissioner Wayne Hooper who
helps organize Halloween in the Park each year.
Once
again this year, the hay ride will be first come, first serve
and it will run until everyone who wants to ride has had a
chance to ride.
The
admission for all of this is one canned food item that will
go to the Thurmont Food Bank. Death Valley Inc. will also
be collecting donations to buy phone cards for soldiers serving
in the Middle East.
"Even
if you can only give $1 or 50 cents, it will help," Toms
said.
Halloween
in the Park is paid for through the donations of town businesses.
