Scarrybrooke Haunted Trail to kick off Oct. 12

By Deborah Rose

Spooks, thrills and chills are just around the corner in New Milford.

The super-scary Haunted Trail at Harrybrooke Park will open for the season Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.

Following opening night, the trail will be open Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26. 

The last group will access the trail each night at 10 p.m.

“Every year it grows,” Bill Buckbee, the park’s executive director, said of the trail.

The event is unique for several reasons.

Dubbed as Scarrybrooke, the popular haunted trail is likely the state’s longest, Buckbee said. The experience runs 45 minutes.

In addition, the event is a collaboration between nonprofits in New Milford.

This year, the park and six other organizations, the New Milford United Methodist Church, the Lions Club of New Milford, Troops 432 and 58, the Community Fuel Bank, and the Soccer Club of New Milford.

Bill Deak, president of the park’s Board of Managers, came up with the partnership concept, having realized that many nonprofits in the community face challenges raising funds due to limited member participation. 

But, if they work together on one event and they each get a piece of the pie, several groups benefit at once.

“It was a brilliant idea,” Buckbee said.

Since the first trail 10 years ago – one year was missed due to COVID – numerous nonprofits have participated. 

One year, the event grossed its highest event - $115K, less expenses.

“It’s phenomenal,” Buckbee said of the event’s success. “It might be, if not is, the biggest fundraiser in town.”

Alice Wilkinson, a longtime trail volunteer and supporter of the fuel bank, described the teamwork and “collaboration” among nonprofits as positive.

“We work through things together, make decisions together, and you see other teams working together,” she said. “Together you have a meaningful fundraiser.”

Wilkinson cited the challenges nonprofits face raising funds, noting “there are only so many times you can go out and sell candy.”

Steve Kolitz, of the New Milford UMC, said the church’s participation at Scarrybrooke has “become our primary fundraiser.”

One year the church made $13,000 at the event, he said.

The church helps with ticket sales, security, and parking.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Guests can definitely expect to be scared, Kolitz said, noting the trail is recommended for children 12 and older.

Two things, however, will be different than in years past. 

First, the trail has been expanded from four to five nights.

Second, all attendee parking has been moved to John Pettibone Community Center on Pickett District Road, not too far from the park.

Guests will be bussed to and from the park via four busses.

The weather has impacted production days in past years, and unfortunately, heavy rain floods the fields for public parking and compromises parts of the trail.

“Last year we lost props down the river,” Buckbee said. “It was painful.”

The executive director expects bussing guests to the park may help “expedite” the evening’s festivities. 

Upon arrival, guests will take a haywagon around the park’s loop and then enter the trail, where they will experience, among other things, the Hellevator, the Maze to Nowhere, a backwoods barn, and an alien landing site.

“It’s different every year,” Buckbee said of the trail and its spooks and thrills.

He described how a local Scout Troop has participated for years using the same theme but makes it new and exciting each year.

Buckee described just how different the Troop’s display will be this year.

 “They’ve got a new spot, so now they’ve got more space and it looks different even though many of the props are the same,” he said.

The trail as a whole is massive. One section of the trail is comprised of nearly 50 actors.

The park can handle around 2,000 guests per night.

In total, about 200 volunteers participate in breathing life into Scarrybrooke, with planning beginning shortly after the event ends.

“We need as many people as possible,” Buckbee said, citing parking, security, tractor drivers, cast, makeup, and concession staff as just a few of the key areas volunteers are needed.

Buckbee said some volunteers come in and do makeup and leave, while others want to stand behind a curtain and pull a cord. All skills are needed.

Set design is done on and offsite throughout the year.

“You’ve got this piece where it is a lot of sweat equity (from the volunteers), but the people who are coming are getting something out of it,” said Wilkinson.

“They’re having a blast and you’re providing a real service and having a fundraiser,” she said.

Tickets to Scarrybrooke are $25. A fast pass, which accelerates placement in line, is an additional $15. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/ScarrybrookeParkCTsHauntedTrail

Anyone who wants to help for parking should Steve Kolitz at 203-417-9670. For general trail help, call 860-799-6520.

Photographs courtesy of Scarrybrooke Haunted Trail Facebook page.