There are several options for haunted walks in southern
Maine for this Halloween season. Coming right up, the Raitt Homestead Farm
Museum has a “Trail of Terror” and Kittery is holding its final “Night Terrors
Haunted Walk.” And recently, local high school and college students teamed up
with area charities to hold a haunted walk in West Kennebunk to raise money for
the Animal Welfare Society.
Nature Trail Turns Scary in Time for Halloween
ELIOT –
The Raitt Homestead Farm Museum fundraiser is set to kick
off next weekend, October 19 and 20 with the scary “Trail of Terror.” Running
from dusk to 10 p.m., the fundraiser is sure to raise some eyebrows.
For more than seventeen years, the Raitt Homestead Farm
Museum has held popular events like the Tractor & Engine Show and Vintage
Car Show during the summer.
“A few years ago we decided to do a fall event and thought
that a Halloween event would fit perfectly here at the Farm,” said Tom Raitt,
museum vice-president. “One of our biggest challenges was getting the
long-awaited Nature Trail done, which in turn could be utilized for many of our
programs and events.”
“We are excited to start an October schedule of events that
has something for everyone,” said Steve Beckert, museum president. “Not only
are we doing the Trail of Terror on four nights, but we also have a children's
day on October 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. Kids can bring a decorated or carved
pumpkin, wear their costumes, ride in the barrel tractors and take a wagon ride
as well as play games, trick or treat and more.”
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the events go to
the children's programs, restoration and preservation of the thirty-three acre
Farm Museum property. The Trail of Terror is $6 admission and the HarvestFest
on October 20 is $3.
“It is going to be really fun and terrifying here at the
Farm, and we are so grateful for all the support we have from area businesses,
the community, our members and volunteers,” said Lisa Raitt, coordinator and
trustee. “I personally can't wait to walk the Trail of Terror! I love Halloween
and all things scary!”
The Raitt Homestead Farm Museum is always looking for a few
more volunteers to help at all of the events throughout the year. For more
information on volunteering or info about events, visit
www.raittfarmmuseum.org, call 207-748-3303 or 207-332-5444.
Raitt Homestead Farm Museum is located at 2077 State Rd (RT
103) in Eliot.
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Dave and Marion Raitt hang out in the graveyard (courtesy
photo)
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Night Terrors Haunted Walk Schedule
KITTERY –
Night Terrors Haunted Walk, located at 10 Bridge Street in
Kittery, is back for one final year. Admission to the Walk is free and open to
the public, but there is a suggested $7 donation for those that are able to
help us cover expenses. Experience the Gothic Cemetery, Blood Lust & the
Shrine, Doll E. Wood, Barnum & Bedlam Asylum, and The Great Pumpkin, a
display area for after-school program pumpkin decorating contest. For more
information, contact their hotline at 207-451-9279.
October 26 & 27 – 6:30-11 pm; October 30 - Children’s
Twilight (scare-free) walk – 5-6 pm and Regular Walk – 6:30-9:30 pm. October 31
– 6:30-9:30 pm.
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Wells High School Cheerleading Squad hams it up before the
Haunted Walk at the Animal Welfare Society. (courtesy photo)
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Haunted Walk for Animal Welfare Society Draws Hundreds of
Scaredy Cats
WEST KENNEBUNK –
Animal Welfare Society volunteers, Behind the Scenes
Charity, along with University of New England students and the Wells High
School Cheerleading Squad, brought the woods to life for the 4th Annual Haunted
Walk on October 13. The walk attracted hundreds of people of all ages and
raised more than $1,600 for the animal shelter. Included in the cast of
characters were zombie cheerleaders, Bigfoot, a mad scientist, a chainsaw murderer,
witches and ghouls. Behind the Scenes Charity spends all year preparing for the
walk. The week prior to Halloween, the group builds elaborate scenes in the
woods with spooky twists and turns around every corner. Gloria Berry says,
“It is our way of supporting the work that the AWS does day-in and day-out and
allows us to have fun while we are doing it! Every year the walk has grown,
we’ve added more and more props and it attracts more and more people.” She
added, “It’s a lot of work. When it is over, I’m exhausted but as soon as the
last box is packed, I start thinking about ways to improve it the next year!”
About Behind the Scenes Charity
In 2004, Scott Kearney and Gloria Berry, along with family
and friends, decided to capitalize on their love of Halloween and their desire
to support the work of local nonprofits by creating a haunted walk. Over
the years, they have donated thousands of dollars to organizations that address
domestic violence, homelessness, hunger and animal welfare. In 2008, they walked
through the wooded property of the AWS and decided it was a perfect location
and a perfect cause for their group to support.
