Over the weekend, organizers for Bakersville, the annual haunted hayrack ride through Baker Park, posted a scary truth to their social media followers: if people don’t volunteer, Bakersville 2024 will have to be canceled.

The ominous warning had the desired effect, said committee member Beth Kelley, and on Sunday, messages and calls began to come in offering help to participate and organize the event.

“We’ve had a good response,” she said. “People have reached out to us, several people are from Galva.”

In a social media post, the Bakersville committee asked for volunteers for spots for entertainment, including skits, drive-bys, jump scares and line entertainment. Some of the groups that had performed in the past, Kelley said, had yet to express an interest in taking part in this year’s event.

Other areas where help was needed was for preparation leading up to the event for the day of and the day after for coordinating pick up and drop offs of equipment such as hayracks, generators, speakers and microphones. The committee is also responsible for ordering and coordinating placement and delivery of porta potties, picnic tables, firewood, pizza and water for volunteers.

The post was blunt describing the dire situation. “At this time, unless we have commitments from several people for specific help, we will unfortunately have to cancel the event for 2024.”

Kelley said after the response to the announcement, the committee does feel that it has enough volunteers to put on the haunted ride again this year.

“We had at least 10 people” reach out, she said. “We got some good responses for everything, and we are planning on going ahead with it.”

Kelley said the Bakersville committee isn’t alone in the need to recruit volunteers. Other area festivals and groups are in the same position.

“Everybody wants something to do and everyone says there’s nothing to do in this town, but no one wants to volunteer,” she said, adding that volunteering is something meaningful that people can actually do.

In spite of the outpouring of offers to help over the weekend, Kelley said they could still use more help to fill areas in the park. The hayrack ride is a multipronged operation with a lot of moving parts.
Kelley said the committee also worried because several of the groups who have faithfully performed skits had yet to get back to the committee. But over the weekend, several of them, upon seeing the post, reached out to confirm their participation.

Don’t have a group but want to perform? That’s not a problem, Kelley said. Volunteers who would like to perform in a skit, but don’t have the time to organize their own group are still welcome to come aboard.

“If somebody wants to help, we can definitely find a spot for them.

Just like last year, Bakersville will operate on a timed-cart system, where riders reserve their time. The system has prevented the past problems of congestion and long lines. Presale tickets will go on sale sometime after Hog Days, Kelley said.

In 2023, over 600 people took the spooky ride through the park. Kelly said the attraction sold out through the 11 p.m. hour and 125 people on five racks her hour went through Baker Park.

Kelley, along with three other members including Kelsey Neels, steer the committee and volunteers. Parks Director Andrew Dwyer also offers his assistance to the committee wherever he can, she said, and the committee appreciates the partnership.

Bakersville will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12, with a rain date of Saturday, Oct. 19. Those interested in volunteering can message the Bakersville Facebook page or Beth Kelley or Kelsey Neels’ personal Facebook pages.

Kelley said this experience has made her realize just how many local groups and organizations are hurting and could use an influx of volunteers.

“If you’re not interested in Bakersville,” said Kelley, “there are plenty of other groups out there that need help.”