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BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP: A screaming good time at Haunted Hayride

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Screams could be heard filling the “Wailing Woods” as wagons-full of people journeyed through Joseph Lawrence Park during the third annual Wailing Woods Haunted Hayride on Oct. 12.
   ”We are just scaring the whole town tonight,” said Public Works Supervisor David Dietrich and resident.
   He said, “The inspiration behind Wailing Woods began from my obsession with Halloween, to be honest. I have always loved it, including the fall season, from the smell of fall, memories of my youth to horror movies, music, pumpkin patches and farms. I have always loved anything to do with this time of year.”
   According to Mr. Dietrich, he was talking with his boss, Dean Buhrer, three years ago and mentioned the idea of doing a hayride. His idea was well received, he said, and the department put quickly put together its first hayride.
   The event was organized by Public Works employees along with volunteers from other departments in the township and Bordentown City as well as friends and local residents.
   ”When we developed the idea of a free haunted hayride, I was completely on board since I have a huge fondness for Halloween and the autumn season in general,” said Dan Binczak, Public Works employee and resident. “It is a perfect fit for my interests. The fact that I enjoy the concept so much makes it possible for me to kill two birds with one stone — participate in something I enjoy and giving back to this great community. This makes my time spent working and slaving over this event one of the most worthwhile things I can think of.”
   Mr. Binczak stressed the importance of the community’s support.
   ”This community has embraced this hayride, giving it life,” Mr. Binczak said. “Without the community’s support with funding, volunteers or just plain showing up and riding through the haunted woods, we would just be a couple of schmucks with masks hiding behind trees. So for that, I thank everyone who has volunteered, funded or rode our little hayride.”
   Cindy Dziura was volunteering her time as well for the second year, “mingling” in costume among the crowd and scaring up a few screams.
   ”Mingle and entertain while they are in line,” said Ms. Dziura, an employee of the municipality, who was walking in and out of the crowd and through the playground dressed in a long, black dress with white makeup and “blood” around her mouth.
   The event has been continuing to grow every year with new themes, decorations and activities being added, even an extra wagon this year for the large turnout. A total of four wagons were operating to keep the line moving.
   The Foundation for Bordentown Traditions assisted Public Works by contacting businesses to see if they would donate to the hayride. Those who did had the business banners posted on the wagons the night of the event, according to Mr. Dietrich.
   The department also received loaners or donations by John Deere, local farms, friends, residents and businesses of wagons, tractors, decorations, props, masks, uniforms, pumpkins, hay stacks, corn stalks, etc., according to Mr. Dietrich.
   ”This year we tried to mix it up in the back area between scary and fun being that we have such a diverse age group that come,” Mr. Dietrich said.
   More than 1,200 residents and those from surrounding communities came out to take the 15-minute ride through the woods — unaware of what lay ahead of them. There were “dancing zombies,” chainsaw-wielding creatures, a UFO crash site and a mad doctor.
   ”We also had some new themes like the New Jersey Devil, cursed pirates, a possessed woman and her priest,” Mr. Dietrich said.
   Rides and activities were free. Activities included a DJ, face painting, tarot card reading, a vendor selling “Wailing Woods” T-shirts, temporary tattoos and food. There was also an appearance from Trenton Thunder’s mascot Boomer.
   The Bordentown Township Fire Department’s three fire companies were on hand to give tours of firetrucks, and the Bordentown Police Department K-9 unit met and greeted the public with some of its canine dogs.
   For some, this was the first time they came out to try the hayride while for others, it has become a yearly tradition.
   ”It’s just scary enough but not too scary,” said Sohni Dailey, of Hamilton, who attended the hayride for the first time with her family.
   ”He really liked it,” Stephanie Sutphen, of Bordentown Township, said of her son, Kevin, 10. “He was scared of the guy with the chainsaw.”
   ”I liked when the guy jumped out from the bushes and said ‘Give me your soul,’” Kevin said after getting off the hayride.
   Riders noted how “realistic” the hayride was and said it had just the right amount of mixture of scary with an element of surprise.
   ”I thought it was excellent,” said Melanie Hansford, of Bordentown Township, who attended for the second year in a row. “It was very realistic, exciting and nice and long. It wasn’t like ‘Oh my gosh, that’s it?’”
   ”It’s a good, family event for the kids,” said Kim McKay, of Bordentown Township.
   She added, “The chainsaw was unexpected.
   ”It’s a great community event,” said Erica Grilletto, of Bordentown Township. “Everybody looks forward to it. My kids love it. Each year, it gets bigger and bigger.”
   Mr. Dietrich was glad to have good weather this year for the hayride unlike the last two years.
   ”The best part for me, personally, was, honestly, that on our third year, we finally had good weather,” Mr. Dietrich said, noting it rained the past two years. “But, most importantly, there is always a single moment every year when I go up front and see the place completely filled, familiar faces working in the back, driving the tractors and working the front all working for free.
   ”And, of course, the kids dancing, dressed up, playing, etc., made all the hard work the Public Works Department does all worth it.”