Enter if you dare

The woods will once again be filled with creepy characters waiting to make you scream as the Trail of Terror returns in Baxter. Located at the Ashton Wildwood County Park, the haunted attraction opens for the season this weekend from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday along with additional nights of fright Oct. 25 and 26.

With the tag line “Come out for this scare if you dare. Trail of Terror is back and scarier than ever. A walk in the woods that won’t disappoint... if you can make it out,” the experience begins before even entering the trail as those looking for a fright pass by a white frame church with a healthy crop of headstones behind it at the entrance of the long drive that takes you to the start.

Chainsaw wielding and grotesque blood and torn flesh adorned volunteers will once again be positioned throughout the trail, along with many more terrifying creatures sure to make your skin crawl and heart race. In its fifth year, the trail is a fundraiser for the Baxter Fun Days Committee.

“I thought it was going to be dumb,” committee member Jannell Travis said during last year’s event. “I thought, ‘No one’s gonna do that,’ but it’s been awesome. Our first year, we had an awesome turnout. We all have fun doing it. It’s a lot of work and a little bit of stress but it’s fun. We’re probably going to do it forever.”

With hundreds of thrill-seekers anticipated for the spooky fundraiser, committee members and volunteers work year-round to transform the ordinary wooded trail by taking down limbs and going to Pintrest to brainstorm ideas to make people scream. Ideas are shared throughout the year for makeup, costumes and scenery to make it the best trail yet.

Those looking to take their chance down the path must sign a waiver and agree to use a flashlight before stepping behind the black curtain that brings guests from reality to fantasy. The cost to travel the trail is $10 per person.

With reviews including “This year’s Trail of Terror was probably one of the best haunted trails I’ve ever been on” and “It’s an adrenaline rush,” the Trail of Terror is a destination location for any trill-seeking Halloween enthusiasts to check out.

For more information about the Trail of Terror, visit its page on Facebook.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com