Haunted Trail opens this weekend in Colby

After a one year absence, the Haunted Trail is back and better than ever as students offer thrills and chills for audiences of all ages at the Colby school forest.

“Obviously it’s been a long time, and it’s a weird feeling because there should be a feeling of a lot of scrambling,” says event organizer Matt Oehmichen. “But quite honestly, all the stuff that we wanted to do is just sitting there waiting idle. So it’s just getting it out of the box.”

For two nights, Saturday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 30, from 7-10 p.m., fans of a good scare can attend an event that also doubles as a charity event, with money going towards the Colby Hornes athletic programs, the Colby choir and the IDEA Foundation for scholarships.

Oehmichen says the Haunted Trail will have plenty of new volunteers, with the Colby Student Council and Colby show choir taking part. Not that Oehmichen has had a hard time finding volunteers for a fan-favorite event.

“We’re really looking forward to getting back in the woods and, once again, it’s not the people looking to go through it, it’s the people who are participating is where all the anticipation has been building,” he said.

The trail itself is better than ever before, with cross-country coach Bryon Graun making improvements on the trail and filling in muddy holes with gravel. Oehmichen says people should also be aware of weather and dress appropriately.

Oehmichen says that for those who attended the event in 2019, there will be some familiar sights, but also a few changes — some big and some small. Oehmichen would not reveal what new surprises will be waiting in the woods, but his brother Wade has been working on something big, and Wade’s friend made something even bigger.

“We’re hitting a lot of the main phobias. So, just as a teaser, if you’re not claustrophobic, you’re going to get a taste of that. How can you do that in the woods? We’re going to make it happen.”

There will be a charge for admission at the gate, but it’s not just cash Oehmichen is after but also food donations.

“We are accepting non-perishable food items for the CUP food pantry this year,” Oehmichen said. “$1 per food item, up to $5 max. So, if they brought 10 things they can only get $5 off.”

For more information, visit either the Hornet’s Nest Facebook page and the Haunted Trail Facebook page.

64714