Lindenhurst's annual Haunted Trail & Bonfire offers family fun

Lindenhurst Park District's annual Haunted Trail & Bonfire is back on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kathy Kohler, with the park district's marketing department, tells us what you need to know.

Q. What makes this such a fabulous event?

A. The Lindenhurst Park District's Haunted Trail & Bonfire brings the surrounding communities together, drawing from Lindenhurst, Lake Villa and Antioch. The event is run by volunteers and park district staff. It's a great place for families to have a fun, safe and inexpensive night of fall fun!

Q. How long has this event been in existence? What has changed and what is new this year?

A. This event started in 1992 and has been getting bigger and more popular every year. When this was started 17 years ago there was only a bonfire, free hot apple cider and a trail. Now we offer so much more, including a witches kitchen, kids costume contest, face painting, stage acts, kids game tent, blowup Moonwalk and Giant Slide, Millburn Tree Farm's Pumpkin Patch, Lindenhurst Police Explorers fundraising booth, haywagon Rides and a children's straw maze. This year we added more acts for the stage, we have enlarged the kids game tent and a Giant Slide.

Q. What is the highlight of this event?

A. This is a tough question. Some people will say it's the "Haunted Trail" itself. Luminaria will light the way to fun and adventure along the winding, wooded path at the Haunted Trail. You can walk along the trail in McDonald Woods Forest Preserve and see 12 different scenes that are run by volunteers. Each of the 12 groups has a different spooky theme that you may or may not want to walk through!

Others will say it's the costume contest we offer for children ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-11. The top 4 in each group will win great prizes.

Others will say it's the old-fashioned bonfire (run by the Lake Villa Volunteer Fire Department), where we serve FREE hot apple cider over an old-fashioned caldron.

I think there is something for everyone at the Haunted Trail & Bonfire!

Q. What kinds of activities will appeal to kids and families?

A. The families love that we offer two time frames for the Haunted Trail. The younger kids and families like to go through in the early time slot (4:30 to 6 p.m.) when it is still light out. The haywagon rides are also fun for families, and of course the kids costume contest and the kids game tent.

Q. What about adults?

A. Teenagers and adults love to go through the trail in the later time slot of 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. when it's a little darker! Most adults love to get out and have fun experiences with their children, neighbors and friends, for a fairly inexpensive cost. And best of all it's close by.

Q. What kinds of food and beverages will be for sale?

A. Our witches kitchen offers great food at great prices. Hot dogs, brats, chili dogs, chips, pop, giant Halloween cookies, hot chocolate, candy and popcorn, just to name a few, will be for sale at the event.

Q. Tell us about the people who pull this event together.

A. The Lindenhurst Park District sponsors this event, which is run by staff and volunteers. Many different volunteers are included to make this event successful. The trail is run by neighborhood groups, Cub Scout groups, Lindenhurst Lake Villa Jaycees, the Past Queens of Lindenhurst and Lakes High School students. Other volunteers include Village of Lindenhurst trustees, Lindenhurst Mayor, park district commissioners, park district staff, Lake Villa Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Villa Rescue, Lindenhurst Police, Lindenhurst Police Explorers, Lake Villa Township, citizens of Lindenhurst and Lake Villa, and many more!

Q. Is there anything else we should know?

A. This is a great way to kick off your Halloween and fall activities because if offers a variety of fun activities for people of all ages!

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Lindenhurst Park District's Haunted Trail & Bonfire</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> Starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Most activities at Forest View Park, 513 Forest View Drive in Lindenhurst. Haywagon rides are at the McDonald Woods Forest Preserve. </p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> The cost to get into the Haunted Trail is $1 per person. Haywagon rides are is $1 or one canned food item for the Lake Villa Township Food Pantry. The Moonwalk, slide, face painting and food items are all for purchase at very reasonable prices. Most items are donated, and all proceeds go back into enhancing next year's event.</p> <p class="News"><b>More info:</b> (847) 356-6011 or check our Web site at <a href="http://lindenhurstparks.org" target="new">lindenhurstparks.org</a>.</p>