The spookiest season of the year is fast approaching and horror fans are ready to make their way into the woods of Paradise next weekend to celebrate.
The annual Paradise Haunted Trail will take place on Friday, Oct. 10, bringing in visitors from across the state.
The haunted trail is a tradition spanning more than 20 years in Paradise, and is put together almost entirely by volunteers from the local area. It takes place at Sawmill Creek Park, with a trail going through the woods that is re-created each year.
Hundreds of people take part in the festive fun, with more and more joining the tradition every year.
“We have a beautiful little park and nature trail that we can decorate every year and set up spooky sites along the trail,” said organizer Melody Ricci. “We turn it into a huge haunted event for spectators to come to Paradise and enjoy. We bring in spectators from all over the U.P. and even from below the bridge.”
Many people come to the area to see the fall colors and end up joining the trail event because they were already nearby.
Each year, organizers add more to the trail and embrace a different theme. This year, the theme is the “Haunts of Lake Superior,” featuring decorations and costumes like pirates and sailors from various Lake Superior shipwrecks.
According to organizers, there are nearly 200 shipwrecks along the 80-mile stretch of Lake Superior shoreline to draw inspiration from for costumes and decorations.
Haunted trail guests can also expect to see sea monsters, ship captains and more, including the famous three-fingered Riley, the main ghost haunting the trail this year.
“One of the sites features three-fingered Riley, who was one of the Coast Guard crew responsible for recovering bodies that washed up on the shore of Lake Superior,” said Ricci.
Visitors can learn more about Riley’s story and how he lost his fingers as they make their way through the trail.
The fun begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 10 with a run of the trail for families and small children. This first group will walk the trail while it is still light out with appropriate scares for young kids.
Tickets are $10. Funds are later donated to local businesses to support the Paradise community.
More information can be found on the Paradise Haunted Trail website and Facebook page.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Paradise prepares for another year of hauntings and scares along the haunted trail
Reporting by Brendan Wiesner, Sault Ste. Marie News / The Sault News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
