WOODBURY — When the colorful leaves of fall appear each year, many await the yearly traditions of going to the pumpkin patch, picking apples, or going to a corn maze.
But what about another autumn tradition that Woodbury residents look forward to: the Woodbury Lions Club’s Haunted Hayride.
The Haunted Hayride, which began on Oct. 21 and continues Oct. 27-28, is made possible by numerous volunteers, including many students from Nonnewaug who await the chance to scare little kids.
Julia Gwiazdoski, a freshman who has volunteered for the past three years, enjoys the experience because it’s a unique opportunity to get in the Halloween spirit.
“It’s not only fun being able to help out the community,” Gwiazdoski said, “but who doesn’t love the opportunity to scare your friends?”
Sandy Snabaitis, the Nonnewaug school nurse and faculty advisor for the Leos Club, said the Leos Club fills many needs at the event.
“The Lions Club runs the whole thing, but the Leos volunteer and help out where they can,” Snabaitis said. “There’s four volunteers that work in the Haunted Hayride barn, there are some that work out in the field, and some that usually work at the stands.”
According to the Woodbury Lions Club newsletter, last year they had 75 to 100 community volunteers, including those from the Leos Club.
With the event being a popular one across the community, the Lions and Leos hope for big revenue. All proceeds go to the Woodbury Lions Scholarship fund. Last year, the event produced over $48,000, according to the club’s newsletter, so many are hoping for another successful holiday weekend.
“Last year I think we sold over $2,000 worth of candy at the Haunted Hayride,” said Snabaitis. “All that money that they make goes to the Woodbury Lions Club scholarships. They make a lot of money for those scholarships.”
Freshman Audrey Doran attended the Haunted Hayride on opening night Oct. 21 — the originally scheduled opening night of Oct. 20 was rained out — leaving her satisfied with a spooky experience.
“I went this past weekend and I had a lot of fun getting scared by my friends,” Doran said. “It was definitely different from last year, but it was a fun Halloween experience.”
The Haunted Hayride returns this upcoming weekend at Mitchell School from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
