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It’s always a beautiful day at Northeast Park.

October is actually one of our busiest months of the year. Weekdays are quieter with school back in session, but the weekends are a madhouse.

Families and groups continue to enjoy our picnic shelters in the cooler weather.

More than 2,000 adult and youth soccer players, families and friends converge on five soccer fields every Saturday and Sunday.

Hikers, bikers and equestrians are getting an early view of the changing leaves. And five couples are celebrating their marriages in our banquet facility.

We also have three special events on tap in October.

Our major “happening” of the year is our third annual Haunted Trail, scheduled Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31.

The trail continues to expand and attract more visitors each year.

For 2009, we are featuring five custom-made tunnels and three new animated displays.

Our attraction covers almost 1 mile of dirt path, which takes approximately 20 minutes to walk.

Who knows what creatures lurk around each curve? Many people ask if this attraction is “REALLY” scary. Although it certainly is not for the meek, it is more shocking than frightening and is appropriate for most children older than 8, and many even younger enjoy the experience.

The hours of the Northeast Park Haunted Trail are 7:30 to 11 p.m., and admission is $10 per person.

Visit our Web site at www.northeastpark.info to learn about nightly specials.

Oct. 24 is going to be busy at the park. Our annual Fall Fest runs from 1 to 4 p.m., and we have scheduled an afternoon packed full of activities.

A disc jockey will entertain with music, games and prizes. A magician, balloon shaper, juggler and face painter will stroll through the crowd.

Don’t forget to wear your costume and bring your best pumpkin-carving design so you can take part in our contests.

Win a prize in our scavenger hunt or chill out in our giant bounce house. Stop by the dunking booth and see if you can hit the target.
Admission is free. Pumpkins and refreshments will be available for a small fee.

Sit down, put your feet up and rest from 4 to 7 p.m., then join us for our second night of Star-Gazing in the Park. We are teaming up once again with the physics department at Elon University to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy.

Everyone will have ample opportunity to view stars and planets through a variety of telescopes. Be sure to stop by the event center for a display of what is expected in the sky that night. This event begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Admission is free.

If you still have the energy, remember the Haunted Trail is open until 11 p.m. Why not round out a great day at the park and take a late-night walk in the woods?

Michael Magnes is marketing and event coordinator at Northeast Park. Contact him at michael@northeastpark.info.