By: centraljersey.com
CRANBURY – There’s no need to leave town, or even your neighborhood, for a scary Halloween activity this week.
Residents can just take a stroll over to 128 N. Main St. where Keith Shaw and his family are putting on a Halloween Haunted Scare Trail for the fourth year.
On Halloween, visitors will begin the trail in Mr. Shaw’s front yard and proceed to walk along a black wall into the backyard.
Along this walk, they’ll encounter scary displays, such as misty fog, rumbling coffins, and spooky creatures – most of which were created by Mr. Shaw and his best friend, Greg Petroff.
"We’ll just get together and start building," Mr. Shaw, who is a wine consultant, said of the large displays and props.
For example, a larger-than-life-size coffin with a shaking skeleton inside took two days to build, Mr. Shaw said.
"And then another week to figure out the electricity," Mr. Shaw said with a laugh.
This year, visitors at the trail will be treated by performances from a few actors of New York City’s Middletonowhere acting troupe.
Actors will be swallowing and blowing flames, walking on glass and even hammering and drilling nails into their faces.
Another actor, Michael Freeman, who has been on many shows, including ABC’s "Law and Order" and "Cashmere Mafia," also will be helping out and performing at the event.
The trail, however, does not solely benefit Mr. Shaw’s love of Halloween. Rather, the trail also benefits his passion of giving back to and helping the community.
The trail, which Mr. Shaw financially sponsors, is technically free to the public, but he and his family ask for donations of nonperishable canned foods.
"Those who are able, we ask that they give generously in the form of nonperishable food," Mr. Shaw said. "Food is a real necessity, and too many people don’t have it."
"We had the space to do this," Mr. Shaw said of his family’s home, "and we wanted to give back to the community."
He added, "This is a great way to get people involved in charity."
In addition to the trail, Mr. Shaw said he and his family do a number of events for charity throughout the year, including a 35,000 Christmas light display that’s choreographed to music.
"It’s the most fun people can have on Halloween," Mr. Shaw said. "And they get to support the local food bank."
The trail is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. Mr. Shaw expects about 1,000 cans to be donated during the one night.
The food will go to the Princeton Alliance Church to be distributed to local food banks, Mr. Shaw said.

