The haunting season has returned, and Harry's Haunted Trail is back in terrifying operation at Tiffin University's Paradiso Athletic Complex, located at 2375 CR 26. The wooded trail is to be open 8 p.m-midnight Friday and Saturday and Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27, weather permitting.
Track and field coaches Jeremy Croy and Ray Robinson are organizing the attraction again this year as a fundraiser for the team and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Athletes will trade their running shoes and sweats for costumes and masks.
People coming to the trail can park in the main lot at the athletic complex where concessions are to be set up with sandwiches and cider for sale. A story teller is to set the tone with tales of creatures sighted in the area. Guides will direct participants along the route.
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PHOTO BY MIKE MASELLA
This creepy clown is one of the characters inhabiting Harry’s Haunted Trail. Firelight will illuminate this and the other scenes for additional fright value. Steven Lindsay of Oak Harbor, a hammer thrower on the track squad, is to take on a sinister persona for the next three weekends.
"It's a mile hike. It's a flat hike, not a difficult hike, Croy said. "There'll be entertainment in the parking lot. There'll be 15 scenes along the trail, along with 50-plus characters - monsters and whatnot. It's pretty spooky out there without that. It's dark out there."
Robinson said visitors can expect to see, hear or feel shadowy figures between the main stops. The athletes have set up the scenes from last year with a few changes. Each stop is to have a campfire and costumed creatures. A few have special effects.
"The loop on trail is the opposite way. There's a few more attractions. We've got a year under our belt this time," Croy said.
Harry's Haunted Trail is not suitable for those younger than 11 years old. In the past, the trail had been open for non-spooky tours and children's activities. Those are not being offered this year.
Admission is $6 at the gate and $5 presale by contacting assistant track and field coach Nolan Hill at hillnj@tiffin.edu.
