The Worthington Times

When darkness falls on Switz City Saturday night, it will signal the start of one of the most popular Halloween happenings in the county -- the Haunted Hayrides put on by the Switz City Fire Department.

The annual Halloween Fest starts at 4 p.m. when the Switz City Volunteer Fire Department starts serving a free chili supper at the fire station.

Fire Chief Brian Woodall said the menu includes firefighter chili, hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches.

"A lot of businesses and community members have made donations for this event and we'll be serving until we run out of food," said Woodall.

Besides free chili, from 4-6 p.m., the firefighters will have a jumphouse set up and will welcome little trick-or-treaters, in or out of costume, by handing out treat bags.

The Switz City Haunted Hayrides start at dark (around 7:30 p.m.) and will last until around 10 p.m. but people should be there by 9 p.m. to make sure they catch a ride.

Woodall says there will be three tractors pulling old-fashioned hay wagons out into spooky cornfield country. Firefighters, their friends and family members set up scenes and perform skits along the route and it's different every year.

One year, the headless horseman came out of the cornfield.  Another year a scene was set up that made hayriders think they were about to be hit by a train coming down the track.  And there's usually a graveyard somewhere along the way.

Though the chili supper is most popular with the older folks, the kids in White River Valley country look forward to the hayrides and it's their place to be in WRV this Saturday night.  

Woodall stressed that all of these activities are free for the community.

"We accept donations and we appreciate anything the community members want to give," said Woodall.  "All money donated will be used to help buy equipment for our firefighters."