Friday, October 19, 2012

Haunted Walks a Halloween Treat

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.

Dave and Marion Raitt hang out in the graveyard (courtesy photo)

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.


Wells High School Cheerleading Squad hams it up before the Haunted Walk at the Animal Welfare Society. (courtesy photo)









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.