If you dared yourself to take a spooky ride through the woods of Jacob Myers Park in Riverbank then you were probably on the Haunted Hayride this past weekend.
The City of Riverbank’s Parks and Recreation Department held the 12th Annual Halloween Haunted Hayride on Friday and Saturday night. The event for all ages took people through an ominous journey through the woods on a tractor-pulled trailer to view a wide variety of scary themed sites that were set up for a spooky good time.
With 15 scare sites and five operating trailers, volunteers and city staff treated guests to sites including the Purge, a doctor’s office with body parts all around, scarecrow alley, Day of the Dead, bat wing stop, the clown zone, a graveyard, dead baby zone, a zombie eating a dead body, hologram spirits, a zombie birthday party, mine craft, voting zone and chain saw boys.
Parents along with students from the Karate for Kids school manned the concession stand, which offered items like hot dogs, chips, popcorn, drinks, and candy.
Some of the city officials that braved the ride were Mayor Richard O’Brien, City Manager Jill Anderson, Vice Mayor Cal Campbell, and councilmember Darlene Barber-Martinez.
“Crowd comments indicated that it was scarier this year,” stated Parks and Recreation Supervisor, Kerrie Webb.
The Riverbank High School boys’ basketball team had a scare site and several Riverbank High School drama students volunteered in this year’s event as well.
Webb expressed gratitude to all the volunteers like the Boy Scouts, Riverbank Raiders, and their families, Friends of Jacob Myers Park, city staff, as well as the city council for helping with the loading of the trailers.
“The Hayride went very well both days,” said Webb. “(There were) Lots of screamers and several criers.
“That’s what makes it fun.”
Halloween is coming up this Friday, Oct. 31 and local residents are reminded to watch out for the young trick or treaters, who will likely be out in force around the community, even if the possibility of rain comes to fruition. Be extra careful when driving and look out for costumed youngsters.
