Lockwood Park kicks off Spooktacular Hayrides Oct. 15

From press release

Rockford Park District’s Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, kicks off its popular “Spooktacular Hayrides” Friday, Oct. 15. These unique hayrides are family friendly, and feature a costumed narrator who rides along to tell the story as the hay wagon winds through the woods of Lockwood Park.

Kids can snuggle close to their friends and family to hear this year’s pirate-themed tale of Jolly Roger and his escape from Fiddler’s Green as the wagon passes 10 different elaborate stages set up along the trail. Tickets can be purchased each evening beginning at 6 p.m.; rides are offered 6:45-10 p.m.

In addition to the hayrides on Friday and Saturday evenings, Lockwood will also offer a variety of free entertainment for kids and adults to enjoy at the park. Plus, a variety of kids’ activities, food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Lockwood Park Manager Debbie Ackerman said: “Friday and Saturday evenings at Lockwood Park are great for families who are looking for fun and affordable activities to do together. Each year, to keep families coming back, we change our theme, and new this year, we changed our hayride trail route. Spooktacular Hayrides have been a fun tradition for many families, and we look forward to having new families create wonderful memories and traditions at our park.”

Friday and Saturday Spooktacular Hayrides, activities and entertainment

Spooktacular Hayrides—Oct. 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30, 6:45-10 p.m. Tickets go on sale each night at 6 p.m. Cost is $6 per person (kids 3 and younger admitted free). Discounted group tickets are available for purchase in advance. Call (815) 987-8809.

Oct. 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30, 6-9 p.m.

Goblin Gameyard—Take part in a variety of kids’ games and activities, including pumpkin painting and face painting. Games start at 50 cents each.

Special entertainment

Cost Cutters Kids Night—Friday, Oct. 15: The Undertaker’s Buzzard Egg Hunt (free). Starts at 6 p.m. Ages 6 and younger (ages 4 and younger accompanied by an adult). Search for almost 8,000 black and orange eggs filled with candy and Park District passes.

Other Cost Cutters Kids Night activities include the following:

• Cost Cutters Hair Painting—Kids will enjoy getting their hair painted with Halloween-colored temporary hair color. (Free)

• Pony Ring—Kids will enjoy riding the ponies in our glow-in-the-dark pony ring. Must be 48 inches tall and weigh 80 pounds or less to ride. 6-8 p.m. Cost is $2 per ride.

• Pickles the Clown—Pickles will be on hand to entertain the kids with face painting (paid activity).

Saturday, Oct. 16

Smokin’ Gunz Band—Enjoy live country music from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Oct. 15, 22, 23 and 29-30

Q98.5—Q98.5 will provide music and broadcast live from 7 to 9 p.m.

Lockwood Park

The mission of Lockwood Park is to help people enjoy life through their connection to animals. The park programs provide a variety of experiences and learning opportunities to promote healthy, positive interactions between people and animals.

Lockwood Park offers 94 miles of scenic trails for hiking, biking or horseback riding. Lockwood Park is at 5201 Safford Road between Searls and Page parks in northwest Rockford. For information about accessibility and disability support, call (815) 987-8800.

All programs and activities are weather-dependent and subject to change. For current updates, call Lockwood Park at (815) 987-8809, or visit rockfordparkdistrict.org/spooktacular.