Colby preps for fourth annual Haunted Trail, coming Oct.

22,29

The Haunted Trail will be returning for the fourth consecutive year to provide frights and funds to the Colby community The event, which takes place behind the Colby High School in the school forest, will take place on Oct. 22 and 29 from 7 -10 p.m. Tickets for the event are $10 but attendees can bring up to five non-perishable food items to be donated which will knock $1 off the price of admission per item brought.

Last year, the haunted trail brought in $4,200 which was donated back to entities that had helped volunteer for the event. Over 600 non-perishable food items were donated to the CUP food pantry in Colby as a result of the event.

Organizer Matt Oehmichen estimated over 700 participants were introduced to last year’s frightening adventure.

He said the Haunted Trail was around during his childhood and he wanted to make it a point to bring it back to its heyday.

“When I moved back to Colby in 2014 and I had heard that the Haunted Trail hadn’t been around for a long time, I was kicking starting it back up around year after year,” Oehmichen said. “It was my wife who said in 2018, ‘Why don’t you just do it? Why would you wait for somebody else to do it when you can just take it and do it?’ She kind of gave me the kick in the pants that I needed.”

Last year, Oehmichen said the volunteers that showed up to put on costumes, get the forest ready and help with admissions made the event possible. This year, about 50 volunteers are expected to help facilitate the Haunted Trail.

The Colby Choir program, IDEA Goundation and Colby Booster Club as well as the CUP food pantry all benefit from the proceeds of the event.

Head to the Colby School District Facebook Page to see a preview of what is in store.

SPOOKY SEASON - Pictured is one of the many attractions at the Haunted Trail in Colby. About 50 volunteers will help make the event possible.

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