The Freeport Park District is happy to share the story of one of our most successful special events, which originated with the aid of the Belvidere Park District.

The Halloween event, "Ride with the Ghost", is staged in an outdoor haunted area through which hay-wagons, loaded with thrill seeking observers, ride to experience a very ghoulish and blood-curdling time.

Twelve to fourteen scenes are developed along the route for the riders to experience. Each haywagon has a narrator, supplied with a spotlight, who tells the story as the ride progresses through the park. As people are ready to depart for the adventure, the narrator welcomes them and requests their undivided attention for a moment to remind them of safety considerations so all may have fun and return again safely.

The ride itself lasts about fifteen minutes as it winds through scenic Krape Park. The atmosphere is enhanced by the winding roads and overhanging trees that line the route. Small campfires are used both to light the scenes and help set the mood of the story as it unfolds.

A few of the more popular scenes have been "The Graveyard", "Mad Fisherman", "Stocks and Guillotine", and the "Chainsaw Massacre." The location for each scene is carefully planned to help blend the story, the props, and the natural landscape. An example of this is the second scene which makes use of a waterfall as the home of the "Mad Fisherman." A rowboat, dummy, and costumed volunteer are placed in a pool at the base of the waterfall. As the wagon approaches, the "Mad Fisherman" is attacking a helpless victim from the boat. As the wagon passes by, the "Mad Fisherman" leaves the waterfall to attack the wagon, just allowing it to escape! The whole time all movements are highlighted by strobe lights. Each successive scene is set forty to seventy yards apart, preventing one scene from distracting the next.

The event's first year, 1987, was plagued with constant rain and cool temperatures. This didn't prevent eight hundred people from coming out to enjoy the ride. Our second year, 1988, was accompanied by clear skies and a cool 23 degree temperature. Almost nineteen hundred people braved the elements to enjoy the event, which was extended an extra hour to be able to accommodate all families and friends.

"The Mad Fisherman" lunges toward the wagons to claim his next victim!

Planning for our event begins during the summer with a staff meeting to determine scene locations and themes. Each staff member is then assigned one or two scenes to plan and develop. As time draws nearer to the event, more meetings and work nights are held to work with volunteers who staff the scenes, plan costumes and create the scenic backdrops. Volunteers consist of part-time staff, friends, local high school organizations, as well as Park Board commissioners. A meeting of volunteers is conducted in early October, at which time they are assigned a particular scene to develop under the supervision of a full-time staff member. Safety Considerations are Paramount in Planning There are some important things to consider when planning this or any outdoor event of this caliber. Plan on having more participants than you expect. If you think five hundred is a realistic goal, expect one thousand.

There must be easily readable signs and adequate parking. Parking must be located away from the wagon loading area. Keep cars from creating a dangerous situation where people are loading and unloading almost simultaneously.

Work closely with your police. They will be very important for directing traffic and helping to deter any unwanted activity.

Provide an indoor area for ticket sales and concessions for people waiting to pick up children. The wagon loading area should be well away from this building.

All trucks pulling wagons should have radio communication to each other so the drivers know where the other wagons are at all times. This will prevent wagons from running too close together and interfering with each other.

Be careful not to load too many people on a wagon because of the difficulty towing up and down inclines. Avoid steep grades where possible. The drivers should be instructed to drive slowly, and to avoid rapid starts and stops.

The quality of the ride is directly affected by the morale of the volunteers. After 4-5 hours in the cold, wet weather, it is easy for anyone to want to leave. For this reason, it is important to keep the job fun and inspiring for the volunteers. Let them use their

own creativity with scenes and costumes. Have a sheltered area out near the scenes, yet out of sight of the passing wagons, where volunteers can go to take a break and warm up or get something to eat and drink, such as hot cocoa and hot dogs. This makes quite a difference in keeping enthusiasm high. This facility can also have extra equipment for quick repairs, such as a tool kit, tape, logs, matches, rags, cups, etc.

We have one or two people circulating on a golf cart to communicate and make any special runs for equipment. They can take volunteers back to the ticket area if they have to leave early.

The following sources were used to help publicize the event.

• An overhead street banner announcing the event.

• Public service announcements on radio and television.

• Local newspaper articles.

• The Park District's seasonal brochure.

• A school newsletter containing information about the ride, and a coloring contest where students colored a monster and returned it for judging at the ride.

• Flyers posted locally.

• T-shirts were sold which said, "I survived the 'Ride with the Ghost' ". These were also given to the volunteers.

At the end of the event all loose equipment is picked up and costumes are turned in. We then meet immediately to discuss any problems and congratulate everyone for a job well done. It is at this time that the volunteers receive their t-shirts and pizza.

Within two weeks after the event, thank you letters are sent out with evaluation forms to be completed and returned within three days of receiving them. We also send a letter to the local editor, applauding all involved for making the event an overwhelming success!

If you are interested in doing a similar event, we would be happy to help out. Address inquiries to: "Ride with the Ghost" Coordinator, Free-port Park District, 1200 Park Lane Drive, Freeport, IL 61032 - or call 815/235-6114 and ask for John Crysdale.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: John Crysdale is the Assistant Supervisor of Recreation for Freeport Park District. Kent Cox is Intern with the District's staff.

Ghoulish commrades keep watch over "The Graveyard",
filled with the dubious epitaphs of the park
district's staff and commissioners.