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It’s always a beautiful day at Northeast Park.

The pool has closed for the season after a long and hot summer, and the kids are back at school. That must mean weekends at Northeast Park are in full fall swing. Fall soccer leagues dominate all available playing fields Saturday and Sunday, bringing out hundreds of players and spectators.

More than 100 entrants participated in the Angry Monkey Race, a grueling six-hour mountain-bike marathon on Sept. 26. The cooler temperatures lure more equestrians and hikers to our 14-mile chain of trails. Weddings, meetings and family get-togethers keep our picnic shelters and meeting and event center booked on a regular basis.

We are gearing up for our fourth annual Haunted Trail. Crews are working feverishly to construct a bigger and better trail for the 2010 season, featuring custom-made tunnels, animated displays and live actors.

The attractions are more shocking than scary and should be appropriate for most kids age 6 and older. We have reduced this year’s admission price to a family-friendly $5 per person. The Haunted Trail is open Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31 and Nov. 5 and 6. Hours are 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

A new event this year is “Country Lights Aglow at Northeast Park.” Families will have the opportunity to drive through a portion of the park and enjoy an assortment of lighted holiday displays, many of which are animated. Among the displays will be gingerbread people, penguins, trains and, of course, Santa and his elves, plus much more. Admission is free. The display will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday from Nov. 26 until New Year’s Day. Members of churches, Scout groups, schools and families are needed to volunteer their time to help with this effort.

Fall is the perfect time to visit Northeast Park. Come out and watch a soccer game, get your feet wet in the creek, view the magnificent foliage as the leaves change color, have a picnic or take a leisurely stroll. There are still limited November and December dates available for the event center. Call and reserve space for your holiday office party or family celebration.

Michael Magnes is marketing and event coordinator at Northeast Park. Visit www. northeastpark.info or call 375-7722 for information.