Every year about this time, scary, spooky sounds, screams, groans and moans can be heard coming from the deepest, darkest reaches of the park known as Jacob Myers, just north of Riverbank.

But have no fear (really); it’s just the local spooks, ghosts and goblins of the area getting warmed up for the coming All Hallows Eve celebration.

Begun in the park about 14 years ago, according to sponsors at the city Parks and Recreation Department, volunteers provide ghoulish scenes amid the groves, shadows and trees of upper Jacob Myers Park to entertain and amaze participants. The Halloween Haunted Hayride will continue its traditional cruise through the forest again this weekend, on both Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29.

On Friday, it opens at 7 p.m. and continues until 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, the hayride hours are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission price is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 12. Those under 3 must sit on a family member’s lap and are admitted for free.

There will be a few refreshments offered to guests at the snack bar including hot dogs, soda, chips, popcorn and candy. Over 10 new scare sites have been created with ‘spooktacular’ details to entertain the brave souls venturing through the woods. Guests will have a wide variety of sites to see with giant spiders, the living dead, CSI Riverbank and many more.

Organizers say that only the bravest of the brave will make it through this year’s event without a few screams, but it’s guaranteed to be fun for the whole family.

And those bringing a canned food item to the snack bar will receive a free bag of popcorn. Organizers say that all canned food donated and snack bar proceeds will go to Riverbank Cares.

Once the Halloween festivities are over, the community will look forward to the next big event. Coming up at the end of November is the 15th Annual Christmas Crafts Faire, Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Riverbank.

Entry forms for those events are available at City Hall North.