Coming off last year’s successful ‘Polar Express’ event at the West Florida Train Museum, RJ Events LLC will take on Halloween with two events during October, one of which hopes to provide a scare for local residents.
Starting on October 9, RJ Events will present ‘Haunted Woods Deadly Games’ which introduces residents to a scary story involving the tragic loss of a little girl, the desperate acts of a mother along with the terrifying consequences of dealing with witchcraft and black magic.
Event organizer Jennifer Weideman suggests ‘Haunted Woods’ might not be suitable for young children.
“My basic rule of thumb is if you take someone to a PG-13 movie, you are okay here,” Weideman said. “If you wouldn’t take them to a PG-13 movie, don’t bring them here. I don’t think it would be appropriate for a five year old.”
More than 300 Facebook users have already committed to attend on the event’s online account, not only from the surrounding areas, but out of state as well.
In addition to offering a scare to attendees, ‘Haunted Woods’ will also benefit both the WestFloridaTrainMuseum through a portion of the proceeds and a fundraising opportunity for the MiltonHigh School drama department.
The MHS students, who are currently selling tickets, will also be volunteering at the event. The ‘Haunted Woods’ will serve as a fundraiser for the MHS Drama, who will taking a class trip to New York City. The trip will include four Broadway shows and allow students to take three master classes from professional Broadway performers.
Jennifer Bunnell, the school’s drama instructor, said the NYC trip in June will be one of three student trips throughout the school year which include a district competition in Niceville and a thespian festival in Tampa.
“All three of these trips are specifically geared toward theatre education and they are awesome opportunities for our students,” she said.
Bunnell said many of her students will be using their talents to do the haunting at the event, while many parents will volunteer at a concession stand. “The kids can apply their share of the money earned to the trip of their choice. I have many kids who are planning to do all three trips, so they are working very hard to raise all the money they can to make it affordable.”
Additional fundraisers and sponsorships are still available for the event, Weideman said. Volunteers are also needed.
For the younger children, RJ Events will have a Trick or Treat Trail at the same location off Henry Street on October 22. The event will include treats, bounce houses, games and a dance area featuring characters from beloved children’s movies.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Haunted Woods Deadly Games
WHEN: From 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday nights from October 9-31st
WHERE: 4850 Henry Street in Milton
COST: $15 for presale, $20 General Admission $30 for a FrightPass and $50 RIPPass. General Admission, FrightPass and the RIPPass sales are available online and will be available on site.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'Haunted Woods' event to benefit train museum, MHS Drama