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News-Sun file photo by KATARA SIMMONS Plenty of ghouls and ghosts await those who dare to walk the Terror Trail.

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published: Friday, October 15, 2010

Terror Trail features new thrills this year

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING -- The Highlands County Humane Society has a new addition to its annual Halloween Terror Trail. The haunted forest-like scare production leads guests through acres of woods delivering continuous scares to all who dare to enter.

The past years' Terror Trail featured only one trail on which guests could receive all the scares they wanted, however this year the Judy Spiegel, president of the Humane Society, and Jon Spiegel have added a second trail to the event.

The once half-mile trek through the creepy woods located at 7321 Haywood Taylor Blvd. near the Sebring airport, has been increased and thrill seekers are able to extend their frights for a bit longer with a bonus of added intensity.

"The first trail is lit, the second isn't," explained Judy Spiegel. Those brave enough to venture out in the dark in the woods shouldn't fear the price of admission. As project coordinator, Jon Spiegel has set the price at an affordable rate.

For one trail the cost of donation is $7. For guests wanting to experience both the lit and unlit trails, it's only $10. All the proceeds made at the Terror Trail go to the Humane Society, which is a non-profit organization.

More than 100 actors dress up in full hair, make-up and costumes to give as many scares as possible. Judy Spiegel searches high and low for all the clothing for the characters and spends hours organizing and preparing them for the trail.

"We have a no-touch policy. The characters don't touch you and we ask that the characters not be touched," said Judy Spiegel.

The Spiegels also implement a second trail production that is geared more toward young children and those who aren't up for scares but just want a light Halloween attraction. A special time set up for younger children is from 7- 8 p.m. The kids' event will include treats and non-scary characters for a $4 donation to the society.

The Terror Trail is open on every Friday and Saturday night as well as on Halloween night. The thrills begin at sundown. The Spiegels and their many volunteers work hard to put on a good production for the residents of Highlands County and invite everyone out for a good scare.