BY AUDREY KENT
FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN –
The Kreher Preserve and Nature Center’s annual Halloween Enchanted Forest opens Oct. 19, and will continue Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Halloween Enchanted Forest is a fun, family-friendly event that takes you on a magical hike in the forest where costumed friends will greet you. These nature-inspired characters will teach and entertain you with how they “trick or treat” other plants and animals in the forest. Hot chocolate and s’mores kits will be available for sale.
“The Halloween Enchanted Forest is a fantastic Halloween opportunity for families,” said Michael Buckman, manager of Kreher Preserve. “It’s a really fun evening with Halloween-themed games. We have the wonderful environmental education aspect, the performances, the costume characters and then at the end, it culminates with s’mores and a campfire.
“It’s just a really wonderful way to enjoy this fall weather with your family and see what nature has to offer,” he adds.
Hikes through the Halloween Enchanted Forest will depart every 10 minutes and will last approximately 45 to 55 minutes. Visitors are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early, bring a flashlight and wear proper walking shoes. Tickets are $10 per person. Admission is free for children ages 2 and younger, and costumes are welcome.
Coming up later this month, Kreher Preserve will present Nature Nightmares, a scarier, self-guided hike for ages 13 and up.
Nature Nightmares will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28, 7:30 to 11 p.m. Admission is $12 per person, and guests must be 13 years or older. Guests under age 19 require the company of an adult. The hikes will depart every 10 minutes and will last 35 to 45 minutes, and guests are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a low-light flashlight. Hikes will be canceled during the event of inclement weather.
For more information, visit the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center’s website at www.wp.auburn.edu/preserve/.