(10/18) When the sun sets on Oct. 27,
Community Park will change like a werewolf in
the full moon. The shady park with playgrounds
and a fitness trail will vanish and in its
place will be a ghostly town of thrills and
chills.
“Expect the unexpected,” said Mike Toms
with Death Valley Inc. who has helped create
Halloween in the Park for the past three
years.
This year will be the fifth year for
Halloween in the Park and the fun begins at 6
p.m. at Community Park.
“We’re trying to add a little bit each
year,” Toms said. “It will have lots of fun,
good, safe things for kids to do.”
Things begin with a short parade from the
town office to Community Park.
“When we get to the park, we’ll do a
meet-and-greet to let the kids know we’re not
going to hurt them,” Toms said.
One of things being emphasized this year is
the kid-friendly nature of the event. In the
past some smaller children have been
frightened by the costumes and hay ride.
Besides the meet-and-greet, one hay ride each
hour will be non-scary so smaller children can
enjoy it.
Kids can also get a map of the park at the
gingerbread house and work toward getting
stamps at different locations. If you get all
of the stamps, you’ll qualify for prizes.
Another area of the park will be Thurmont’s
“Maim Street” with shops where kids can get
treats.
Other events include a magic show, karaoke
and a DJ who will be playing music.
“We want to have a lot of things for them
to do and keep it a family event,” said Town
Commissioner Wayne Hooper who helps organize
Halloween in the Park each year.
Once again this year, the hay ride will be
first come, first serve and it will run until
everyone who wants to ride has had a chance to
ride.
The admission for all of this is one canned
food item that will go to the Thurmont Food
Bank. Death Valley Inc. will also be
collecting donations to buy phone cards for
soldiers serving in the Middle East.
“Even if you can only give $1 or 50 cents,
it will help,” Toms said.
Halloween in the Park is paid for through
the donations of town businesses.
