My heart was racing as I climbed up onto a trailer pulled by a giant red tractor. I was eager to start the excursion as I sat in the bed of the trailer.

As the ride commenced, we were informed of the rules on the hayride by a lady dressed in full costume with a deep monotone voice: “Stay sitting down at all times, and beware of the gouls!” We all were excited to see what the adventure had in store this year.

Hobb’s Grove, a special event location in Sanger that puts on spooky fun for Halloween, specializes in scaring visitors out of their wits. In their 11th year, Hobb’s Grove features a haunted hayride, house and forest. A group of friends and I trekked out to Sanger to enjoy being scared to death, Oct. 23.

Junior Kory Thompson recalls the hayride as the most terrifying part of the park.

“It was scary because you couldn’t get away from the things; you had to stay in the ride. Even though I got hay all over me it was still awesome,” Thompson said. “I have been to Hobbs about three times and this year was the best because I went with all my friends and got to see some football players get scared and scream!”

While riding through the haunted forest, countless numbers of costumed cast members attacked the hayride with chainsaws and knives grunting and yelling in attempt to frighten the guests. I do not typically getting scared too easily, but about halfway through I felt my heart thumping and I could not help but constantly look behind me.

The next attraction was the “Haunted Forest.” This exhibit was very different from the hayride: you have to walk through it and it was much more realistic and disturbing.

Eric Johnson, ’10, said the forest was the most frightening for him.

“The forest was the best because you’re walking through it yourself,” Johnson said. “You have to try and get away from the characters.”

As my friend Kaitlyn and I gripped each other’s arms, we embarked on the walk. Popping out from around every corner were creeping figures of gouls and goblins – even small children participated in the haunting. One particular girl of no older than ten sat in a chair rocking back and forth with a look of absolute death. Her makeup and costuming was done so well as were all the others. Even the blood on their clothes looked real.

Last but certainly not least was the haunted house: a large construction disaster full of narrow stair cases, rickety floor boards, dark corners and unnerving characters and props.

This portion was the most frightening for me. The house has such tight hallways I was overcome by a feeling of claustrophobia. The creators of Hobbs had thought of everything in this attraction from people being torn open on a dining table to baby Damien’s nursery from the 1976 film, The Omen.

Senior Landon Martens recaps on the most memorable part of his favorite attraction, the haunted house.

“The house was my favorite because it was the scariest,” Martens said. “At one point I walked under an overhang and when I came out there was a man on the ceiling who jumped onto a chain link fence that was suspended from the ceiling. I thought it was going to fall on me!”

If you are looking for an shockingly realistic Halloween haunt, Hobb’s Grove is a perfect place. For all three blood-curdling attractions the cost is $32.50 and it’s well worth the cost.

Hobb’s Grove is open on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 and on Friday & Saturday from 5:30 to 10:30.

For more information visit the Hobb’s Grove Web site.