The screams of hayrack riders filled Baker Park on Saturday, Oct. 14 during the annual Bakersville haunted hayrack ride.
The event was completely sold out for the night, with a reported 600 people taking the spine-tingling ride through the park. Like clockwork, hayrack rides left the 19th Hole restaurant filled to the brim with people looking for spooks and scares.
Passengers were able to use their tickets to then vote on their favorite Bakersville performance. Volunteers included groups such as the KHS Poms, Key Club, WHS Band, Patty’s Gym, and the Wagner Group. Whichever skit or performance got the most votes would win the Katie Johnson Spirit Award.
For those waiting for their time slot, or too spooked to go home just yet, the 19th Hole restaurant sold hot chocolate and marshmallows for attendees and Rosa Rushing set up her cotton candy booth. Also in attendance was spirit medium Crystal Sovanski giving free tarot card readings.
Bakerville’s committee was a team of four- Beth Kelley, Kelsey Neels, Leslie Ryan, and Cas Swearingen. But they didn’t do it alone. It took between 100 to 150 volunteers to make Bakersville happen.
Kelley thanked Chad Anderson and family, Jami and Ryan Rieker, and Kate Huffman and Huffman farms for donating hay racks for the event. Also a special thanks went out to Andy Dwyer and the Kewanee Park District employees for their role in making the event happen. Proceeds from this year will help fund next year’s Bakersville, which is already in the planning stages.
The winner of the Johnson Family Spirit Award has already received the award three times before. The votes were calculated over the weekend and announced on Monday. Jesse Wagner’s “Witching Hour” skit was awarded the event’s ultimate prize.
