Families flock to Boardman Park for pumpkin carving, haunted wagon rides
By Sarah Lehr
BOARDMAN
Her baby-sitter suggested that a haunted wagon ride might be too scary, but Alyssa, a 7-year-old Campbell resident, would not be intimidated. “I like scary things,” she said. “I like vampires.”
Alyssa was one of many kids to flock to Boardman Park this weekend for Halloween festivities including spooky stories, marshmallow-roasting, pumpkin-carving and haunted wagon rides.
The events kicked off Friday evening and will continue through today with “Boo Thru the Woods,” in which area businesses give away treats from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning at the Hoffman Pavilion.
Roseanna Smith, chief custodian for Boardman Park, says there’s been a strong turnout despite the weekend’s chilly weather and persistent drizzle.
“The Great Pumpkin Carve Out,” a pumpkin-carving contest complete with prizes for winners from each age group, was a crowd-pleaser. The contest took place Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon 9 p.m. and will finish off today from noon to 5 p.m. Pumpkins cost $2 to $4, depending on their size.
Breanna, an 11-year-old Boardman resident, took pride in her jack-o’-lantern, which she decorated with heart emojis for eyes. Still, she was impressed with the competition, especially a pig pumpkin with a stem for a snout and a jack-o’-lantern that scored gross-out points by appearing to vomit up its own seeds and guts.
Refreshments, including doughnuts, lemonade and corn dogs, also were on hand. A food truck sold sausage and steak sandwiches for $6 each, though Lauren Olson-Sadlack, who worked the booth Saturday, said french fries, available by the bucket-full, were by far their best-sellers.
The haunted wagon rides began at dusk Friday and Saturday. There also will be rides available Friday, Saturday, and Oct. 30-31. Tickets are $3 for children 12 and under, $5 for adults, $15 for Boardman families and $18 for non-Boardman families. Proceeds benefit organizations including the 4-H Club of Mahoning County and Key Club of Boardman High School.