A group of teenagers from Jackson will once again present a Halloween fright show, the “Country Oaks Massacre,” Oct. 28-31 on Anita Drive, Jackson. Donations collected at the event will benefit the Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research. A s the days grow shorter and the autumn air begins to get its bite, adventurous people will be visiting local “haunted” attractions for an evening of scares.
For a group of friends predominantly from Jackson Memorial High School, the chance to frighten people at the “Country Oaks Massacre” on Anita Drive is not just a chance to scare people, it is also an opportunity to help fight pancreatic cancer.
Anita Drive is off Route 571 (Cassville Road).
“Every Halloween we set up a haunted graveyard in the front of my friend Eric Mika’s house that wraps around into the backyard,” said Matt Fountain, 16. “It’s a bunch of different scenes with live actors who do what they can to scare people.”
Now in its third year, the “Country Oaks Massacre” will run 7-11 p.m. Oct. 28-31. The event had its origins in the name of Marty Mika, a husband and father of two children who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2009.
Although Marty Mika died in February 2010 after a year-long battle with the disease, his son, Eric, 17, decided to pay tribute to his father in a way he said his father would approve of.
Eric, along with friends from Jackson Memorial and other acquaintances, decided to continue holding the haunted trail in Marty’s honor.
Eric said his father “always liked Halloween and we thought it would be a great way to raise money [to fight] pancreatic cancer.”
The haunted Halloween trail covers 1 acre and is set up by the teenagers.
“We just wanted to carry on the tradition and decided to do our own version,” Matt said. According to Matt and Eric, about 2,000 people came to visit the “Country Oaks Massacre” last year and donated $800 that was given to the Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research. The boys said all the money they collect at the haunted trail is donated to the foundation.
Admission to the haunted trail is free, and donations in any amount are appreciated.
“We’re hoping to raise more than last year. We want to raise as much as we can,” Matt said.
“I just [want] to help people who have gone through [pancreatic cancer],” Eric said. “I want to help as much as I can.”
People who cannot make it out to the haunted trail but who would like to make a donation may make a check payable to the Lustgarten Foundation and mail it to 21 Anita Drive, Jackson NJ, 08527.