Haunted hayrides spook Boardman Park

Scares Along the Haunted Hayride in Boardman Park

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Valley residents get into costume and get creepy Sunday, October 19, 2008. Five hundred-nineteen Jack-o-lanterns were also on display at the hayride and those who weren't getting creepy, posed for pictures by them. Daniel C. Britt.

BOARDMAN — With glowing eyes looking on and theme songs of horror movies playing in the background, the Poullas family boarded a hayride to darkness.

“He’s going to be scared out of his head!” said Athena Poullas, 6, of her 3-year-old brother Niko.

“Na-uh,” was Niko’s only response from underneath a blanket and the hood of his jacket.

“I think Athena is going to be scared out of her head,” snickered back big brother 10-year-old Georgio.

Tammy Poullas of Canfield brought her five kids out to Boardman Park for the haunted hayride sponsored by Mahoning County 4-H members on Sunday night.

All five were squeezed in tight on one bench of the wagon with oldest siblings John, 14, and Katina, 18, as the protectors on either end.

While the Poullas’ anticipated the thrills ahead, about 70 4-H members awaited their arrival on the dark wooded path.

“It’s a nice friendly hayride,” said Bill Ripley of Goshen Township.

“We get kids of all ages,” he said.

Ripley’s son and daughter are both 4-H members of the Goshen Little Buddies and have been working the hayride for two years.

Set up for the hayride took about a month and the workers are supervised by chaperons and park officials, Ripley said.

Tom, 14, and Colleen, 17, both agreed that the ride is just scary enough and isn’t a bad way to spend the weekends leading up to Halloween.

Interesting creatures and characters lurk in the dark waiting to spook riders. Witches, clowns and creepers garbed in all black test the nerve of those who dare cross their path.

Though it’s called “haunted” parents should know that workers hidden in the woods cannot grab their children and all haunting is in good fun.

The hayrides continue next weekend.