Spooktacular ride awaits at Ogletree Gap Park Posted On: Thursday, Oct. 29 2009 07:34 AM By Alicia Lacy
The Cove Herald

Along the wooded trail of Ogletree Gap Park awaits a terrifying surprise for all who dare to ride.

What may seem like the premise for a horror movie leads riders through the wooded hills of the park for a haunted trail ride at the annual Spooktacular.

While sitting on the back of a trailer hitched to a pickup truck, riders will feel each bump in the road leading through the dark, wooded area not being able to see anything except what's right in front of their faces oblivious to what may be lurking around the corner or behind a tree.

Chuck Clark, director of the show, said this year's trail ride should be a little scarier with 60 percent more skits than in previous years.

The fourth annual Spooktacular is going back to the basics with a ride that will prove that simple can be scary.

"We're not doing as much fancy stuff this year," Clark said.

To not give away the surprises, the performers will put a twist to many well-known fairytales to show them in a more horrifying light fitting for Halloween.

Clark said simple can be scary because generally "people make themselves scared."

It's all about perception, he added.

"I can jump from behind you and go boo and you jump and it scare you," he said. "It's not complicated."

Since July the performers prepared themselves for the trail ride writing scripts and creating the show and for the last two week put the show together and set up the scenes.

The annual trail ride is sponsored by the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau and held with the help of the Brazos Bottom Cowographers, Copperas Cove High School Thespian Club, and the city's Parks and Recreation department.

IF YOU GO:
When: Thursday 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Friday 7:30 p.m. to the last rider

Saturday 7:30 p.m. to the last rider

Where:

Cost: $5 and children 3 and under are free

Group rates are available.

SAFE HALLOWEEN
The Downtown Association's Safe Halloween celebration will be Saturday for families to enjoy their holiday with trick-or-treating and carnival-style games.

The roads will be closed off and families will be able to visit several booths and trick-or-treat or have hot dog and play games all for a quarter.

Local businesses, along with civic organizations in the city, participate in the event whether through sponosorships, setting up a booth or handing out candy.

A costume contest open to all ages will be held during the latter part of the event.

If you go:

When: Saturday 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Trick-or-treating 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Games and costume contest 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Downtown Copperas Cove