Beware the Airport Haunted Forest

CARLETON -- You have four days to accept the challenge and tour the Haunted Forest on the campus of Airport Community Schools.

The attraction will be open from dusk to 11 p.m. on Oct. 22 and 23 and 29 and 30. It is located on the Airport campus in the wooded area between Sterling Elementary School and the Airport High School.

A matinee for young children will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23. Children are encouraged to wear costumes. Candy will be distributed. The cost is $7 a person or $5 a person for groups of five or more.

The Airport Haunted Forest is an annual fundraiser organized by students and the Airport Band Boosters. Proceeds benefit the band program.

“It's a haunted walk through the forest area located on the Airport Community Schools' campus, where students dress in costume and carry props to give community members a good Halloween scare,” said Caitlin Boron, communications coordinator for Airport Community Schools.

Each year, Airport students and staff build structures and create characters and costumes for the Haunted Forest. It also includes an gory component.

“Absurd amounts of fake blood," said Melinda Novicki, band director.

“This is definitely a really special and unique fundraiser," said Novicki. "It's a great bonding opportunity for the band members who are involved. They are really proud of what they put together, and those who have been in it for several years get to take on more leadership roles in the process. It's an impressive production!"

Patty McEwan and another band mom, Sandra Miles-McIntosh, created the idea in 1992 and ran with it.

"We started the haunted forest not so much as a fundraiser, but as a good time for the high school kids," said former band director Dan Savel. "We wanted to give them something to be a part of that would bring them together closer. It seem to work pretty well."

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