‘You can hear the screaming’: Haunted trails near Moncton a Halloween hit

This Halloween a couple of haunted trails are scaring up attention in New Brunswick.

It wasn’t too scary on the Haunted Halloween Horror Trail at Boyle Family Farm Thursday morning, but when the sun went down, the screaming began.

This is the fourth year of Halloween activities on the farm, located just north of Moncton city limits.

Owner Mitchell Boyle says there’s one part in particular he truly loves about having people on his farm after dark.

“Hearing them scream,” he said.

Around 30 actors appear out of nowhere and scare the living daylights out of anyone brave enough to make their way around the one-kilometre trail.

From the social media marketing team, to the roughly 30 actors and the people in the office, there’s a lot of moving parts to make it all work – but Boyle loves it all.

“When you see all the people standing in line stop and all turn their heads at the same time because you can hear the chainsaws, you can hear the screaming and yelling, the hollering and then you see people running out of the exit, it builds the anticipation before they go in,” he said.

Boyle works security during trail evenings to make sure everything goes as planned and people behave properly.

The trail opened last Thursday, and Boyle said they were swamped.

“I think Halloween people are Halloween people. When that season comes, I think it challenges Christmas. People want to get out and they want to do fall fun activities and a little spook and a little scare goes a long way,” he said.

It’s been mostly adults so far, but a few younger people have come out too.

“We’re not going to shy them away. If you think you can do it, we’ll send you in and we’d be happy to hear what you thought when you come out,” said Boyle.

Haunted Corn Trail

The annual Haunted Corn Trail at the Green Pig Country Market in Salisbury got underway on Thursday.

Green Pig Co-owner Dawn Beckwith said people should be ready for a fun night with over 40 actors in the creepy corn field.

“We’re not going to let off, so if they’re feeling very scared, we’re going to push harder,” said Beckwith.

They’ve been hosting a haunted trail in the corn maze for about a decade, and Beckwith came up with a few new haunts for this Halloween season.

She said people will notice the spooky atmosphere as soon as they get out of the car.

“I think it’s kind of fun just to be pushed out of your comfort zone and, also, it’s just a great night of laughter and fear for you and a group of friends. You’re scared, but it’s a fun scared,” she said.

But is it child friendly?

“If you are a tough 13-year-old, then yes, come on out, but if you are a scared 13-year-old maybe you should stay home,” laughed Beckwith.

She did have one more piece of advice.

“Don’t wear your white sneakers,” said Beckwith.

The haunted trails on both the Boyle Family Farm and at the Green Pig will wrap up on Saturday night.

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