The scares are back at Cedar Grove

The Cedar Grove Fire Department's annual haunted trail returns this October at 1876 Bone Cave Mountain Road, offering visitors a spooky outdoor experience while raising money to support the volunteer department.

The haunted trail will operate every Friday and Saturday in October, opening around dark, typically at 7 p.m., and running until 11 p.m. Admission is $15 per person, with children 5 and younger admitted free. The event is cash only, and visitors can pay at the entrance without making reservations.

There are no age restrictions, but organizers encourage visitors to remember that the trail involves walking outdoors over uneven ground. Depending on weather conditions, guests may encounter mud, slippery areas, tree roots and other natural obstacles.

The trail first opened in October 2010 as a fundraiser to help the department purchase the equipment needed to operate. The idea came from the volunteer firefighters wanting to create an event that could bring in additional funding. The department's members own and operate the attraction, which takes place on land made available through an arrangement between a longtime friend of the fire chief and the department.

Visitors walk through a wooded area and a cornfield maze filled with spooky scenes and scares. The outdoor setting features dirt and gravel paths, dark wooded sections and an eerie atmosphere designed to mix fright with fun.

“The haunted trail is a fun event of scares and laughs for all ages,” Safety Officer Rebecca Bivins said.

Putting the attraction together requires work from department members and others who help prepare the trail each season. Many of the scenes and structures are built by hand and volunteers check props and inspect the paths to make sure everything remains safe for visitors.

Weather is another factor the team must consider. Because the trail is outdoors, rain can affect the paths and damage scenery, requiring members to check conditions and make repairs before visitors arrive.

The event also provides opportunities for other local groups to raise money. The Deplorables sell food during the trail to support school scholarships. This year, Making Memories is also offering photography, charging $5 per picture, with all proceeds going to the fire department.

Visitors can find updates and additional information by searching for the Cedar Grove Fire Department haunted trail on Facebook and Google. The department also plans to share information on TikTok soon.