FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The roar of chainsaws, screams, cackling witches and the moans of grim reapers greeted guests attending the Haunted Hayride on Friday at Remington Park. From the moment they walked across the bridge, attendees were transported into a ghastly cemetery landscape, where surprises and terrors lurked around every corner.
A team of Fort Drum employees from Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the Public Works Utilities Branch, and Child Youth and School Services, and more than 40 Soldier volunteers from 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, worked tirelessly throughout the preceding week to ensure that everything was perfect for the thousands of Family Members who attended.
Planning for the annual event began almost immediately after last year's Haunted Hayride, said Gene Spencer, Outdoor Recreation industrial complex manager.
"This event is the second largest that we host every year," he said. "It's one the Families really enjoy and we spend a lot of time making sure everything is done right."
Josh Spencer, lead recreation assistant for FMWR's Outdoor Recreation, said that preparing for the event takes a great deal of time and effort.
"Prior to the event, we have to plan the scenes, order all the materials and line up people to work for the event," he said. "The week of the event, we spend 40 plus hours just on setup, planning and carrying out the event."
The fun began at Magrath Gym, where staff members from CYSS manned bounce houses and provided activities to keep excited children occupied as they waited their turn to board the shuttles to the park.
Upon arriving at the park, attendees snaked through a graveyard full of inflatable pumpkins, bones and tombstones, while grim reapers and zombies made their way toward them from the shadows.
As the sun set on the horizon, the first group of adventurers boarded the tractor and made their way down the road. At the first turn, a large group of clowns, serial killers and ghosts jumped aboard the train, much to the delight of several thrill-seeking youths, who squealed delightedly.
As they rounded the next bend in the road, flames erupted from the motion-sensor-activated tinman, a popular favorite of last year's Hayride. This year, the tinman was accompanied by a new friend, a burning man created by staff members of PW's Utilities Branch.
Scott Murphy, Public Works Electric Shop leader, said these two special inventions were the product of a collaboration between several employees within the utilities shop, and they were just a small part of the support that the shop provides each year for this event.
"The Electric Shop sets up the tower in front of the haunted pavilion as well as the air compressors," he said. "We install the strobe lights throughout the attractions, and our staff operates two side-by-side ATVs with smoke machines during the event."
As attendees entered the haunted pavilion, fog drifted across the floor and the sound of screams filled the air. They wound their way through a maze of rooms full of deranged clowns, zombies and chained prisoners, the majority of whom were played by student and staff volunteers from Fort Drum's Youth Center.
On the other side of the building, more horrors awaited. A path led attendees through a field, where several zombies popped out from behind trees and bales of hay. Next, adventurers passed a small lit pavilion, complete with an electric chair. An escaped death-row inmate ran came out of the pavilion to pursue them as they made their way toward the bridge, where a large three-headed dog barked and pulled at his leash. Finally, the attendees were safely at the end of the hayride.
In a pavilion outside of Lloyd's Landing, Family Members could enjoy cups of hot cocoa and cookies. On the beach nearby, a bonfire burned, and they were invited to make and enjoy s'mores. A fall backdrop and props were provided, and attendees were invited to take a complimentary photograph, to keep as a memento of their visit.
As she waited in line with her son, Gavin, Geri Coons said that she enjoyed the event and she was especially pleased that it was both free and held on the installation.
"The haunted pavilion was the best part," she said "It's great to have fun things that you can do as a Family."
For younger attendees or those who didn't wish to navigate the hayride, staff members from the Thompson Park Zoo and Conservancy provided an educational experience. Attendees were invited to examine a variety of animal pelts, and they were able to touch the fur and look at the details of each.
Cassie Vinette, education specialist and volunteer coordinator for the zoo, spoke to visitors about a variety of animals that she had brought with her. Children gathered around as she held a screech owl, a northern water snake and a tarantula.
Several of the children took advantage of an opportunity to get an even closer look as they held a Madagascan hissing cockroach. Lillian Robinson, daughter of Sgt. Timothy Robinson, smiled and giggled as she pet the cockroach's back.
As Families concluded their tour of Remington Park and waited for the shuttles to take them back to Magrath Gym, children were presented with Halloween books to keep.
Josh Spencer said that seeing the smiles on the faces of children and adults alike is what makes the event one that Outdoor Recreation enjoys hosting year after year.
"This event provides the community with a fun, safe and inexpensive way to enjoy some time with their Families and friends," Spencer said. "We are proud to support this event because we like to give back to the community."
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