Boo By The Woods Returns October 19 In Avon Lake

AVON LAKE, OH — The popular Boo by the Woods festival will return October 19. Tickets are currently on sale for Avon Lake residents, with non-residents getting their chance to purchase tickets on September 17.

The family-friendly Halloween party at the Avon Lake Public Library features indoor and outdoor activities, haunted trails, and famous characters. Self-guided tours of the haunted trail will be offered for $3 during the day and guided tours, during the evening, are $5.

Day-time tours of the haunted trail will only be available from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The trail will then be closed from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. so crews can set up the outdoor activities. Indoor activities will begin at 5 p.m.

The evening tours of the trail will require wristband tickets (which will be mailed out one week prior to the event). Tickets will be sold in 15-minute time blocks. Guests should enter the trail at the beginning of their time slot, meaning if a ticket is for the 6 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. time slot guests should arrive at 6 p.m. Touring the trail will take 45 minutes.

"During your venture into the woods you will meet many characters waiting to tell you their story. While the narrative and characters can be spooky, we are not here to startle you. We suggest the trail for 8 years and older, but the final decision is up to the parent," the Avon Lake Recreation Department said on its website.

At the half mile mark of the trail, families can either leave or continue into the woods where stories will become scarier.

The trail is a 1.1 mile walk through the Kopf Family Reservation. Approximately .25 mile of the trail is unimproved (meaning it's dirt) so attendees should wear appropriate shoes. The event will occur rain or shine.

Indoor activities include photo opportunities with Disney princesses and different characters, crafts and arts, a dance party, balloons, story time and sing alongs. There will also be pumpkin decorating and an appearance from the Ghost Busters and their car.

The event schedule for Boo at the Woods is as follows:

• 4:00-4:45 p.m. Family Friendly trail open, advanced ticket purchase required
• 4:00 p.m. Food trucks open
• 4:30-7:00 p.m. Trunk or Treat in parking lot
• 5:00 p.m. Indoor and additional parking lot activities begin (pumpkins, photobooth, balloons, crafts, facepainting)
• 5:00-8:00 p.m. Back to the Wild animals on view
• 6:00-9:00 p.m. Haunted Trail open, advanced ticket purchase required
• 6:30 p.m. DJ Dance Party begins
• 9:00 p.m. Event ends. Last group enters trail