By Gabby Christensen
Boone County area residents won’t have to travel far for a scare this fall season.
Out at Allison and Luke Rankin’s property, nestled seven miles south of Spalding on 811th Road on WPA Ave., visitors can stop by every weekend in October for the family’s annual Spook Trail.
This year, the Spook Trail will be offered on Friday, Oct. 5, and Saturdays Oct. 13, 20 and 27.
For those not looking for a fright, the Pumpkin Patch will be offered Sunday, Oct. 7, or by appointment.
Now in its fourth year, the event will also include a brand new activity—a corn maze, which will be offered Oct. 19 and 26.
Of course the traditional haunted hayrack ride, which makes stops at various fright stations, will be offered again this year, along with the Pumpkin Express Wagon, which makes trips out to the pumpkin patch so guests can choose their very own pumpkins.
The event will also feature pony rides, games, face painting, a bake sale and more.
Bus rides from Main Street Spalding out to the Spook Trail will also be offered this year.
The event was first established in 2015 after a travel group approached the Rankins about using their property for a fundraiser idea for haunted hayrack rides.
The event has grown from there.
Since then, the Str8 Shooters Youth Shooting Group and Spalding Community Club have also held fundraisers during the Spook Trail.
The Rankins said the activities wouldn’t be possible without the help of several volunteers, friends and family members.
“We’re keeping entertainment local and for all ages,” said Allison. “This event helps with fundraisers and hopefully attracts more people to our local communities to promote small town business.”
Read the complete story in the Oct. 3 Albion News & Petersburg Press, Print and E-Editions.
