LINNEUS, Maine — For the past 15 years, organizers of the Linneus Haunted Hayride have tried to raise the bar on the scare factor and this year’s ride does not disappoint.
The ride opened this past Friday and typically draws between 500-700 people per night and between 2,500-3,500 annually as people from all over Aroostook County and beyond make the trip. It is the sole fundraiser for the Linneus Recreation Department.
The Haunted Hayride continues Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29, starting at 6:30 p.m. The 25-minute ride is nearly a mile in length, covering almost six acres, and features roughly 40 different horror scenes.
Three tractors roll out about every 10 minutes loaded with patrons. Carrie Palmer, one of the event organizers, said great care is taken to make sure the tractors and wagons are in good working order before each night of the ride.
“Making sure the tractors can haul the weight of the people is one of our top priorities,” she said.
“We have very experienced drivers who have been doing this for years.”
At the end of last year’s hayride, organizers made a decision to focus their efforts on improving the creepy clown portion of the ride. That decision was made well in advance of the now prominent national attention of people dressing up like clowns trying to scare people.
“We decided last year to ramp up our clowns and that was before all that stuff has happened,” Palmer said.
Portions of the proceeds go to the Linneus Recreation Department, while other funds go to the student classes whose members volunteer each year. Students can also earn community service time, which is required for graduation and can earn money for their respective classes. About 100 students and 30 adults are pitching in this year.
The ride starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $7 per person. It continues until about 9 p.m. Organizers say they ride is open to all ages, but parents should use their own judgment as some of the scenes are graphic in nature. Refreshments are also available from The Bus. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page.
