'He's going to be scared out of his head!'

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.

By KATIE SEMINARA

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

“Nuh-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 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 family 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.”

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

Setup 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 black test the nerves 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 4-H members even set up a station to teach riders a lesson on drinking and driving. At the scary prom, a car flips over and “beer” cans are sprawled on the ground to show what can happen when alcohol is mixed with driving.

Screams and strobe lights highlighted the ride and everyone on the Poullases’ wagon made it out alive.

“I loved the hayride,” said Athena, noting that the big spider was her favorite part.

The giant web didn’t make Katina jump, but the chain saws sure did.

“They get you every time,” she said.

Sarah Tomor, 11, of East Palestine was on the same wagon and said the ride was exciting but scary at the same time.

Sarah rode with her mom, Sheryl, and 6-year-old sister, Geordan.

Halloween is the best holiday, said Geordan.

“It’s fun, and you get to dress up and get candy,” she said. After the hayride, she scored a piece of candy even though she wasn’t wearing a costume.

Because the hayride isn’t aimed at scaring the living daylights out of riders, it is good for a night out with the family, said Sheryl.

“This activity encompasses all age groups,” she said.