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A cauldron full of tricks and treats

WES KING, staff writer

The American West Heritage Center in Wellsville has adopted the slogan “keeping history alive,” but history is not the only thing “alive” this fall season as the center hosts its Hanted Hollow.

Lurking about the AWHC’s grounds are ghosts, zombies, witches, skeletons and even the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sweeney Todd, ready to shave patrons in his barber chair.

On a given night, children scream while riding on the train circling the middle of the grounds; parents watch their little ones ride the ponies and even AWHC volunteers seem to enjoy themselves.

“It’s like living in the West — living my dream,” said volunteer Jerry Spriet, who dresses as a period settler.

In appearance the center certainly lives up to its western theme, according to Spriet. There are trapper exhibits, artifacts, dioramas and even a quilt raffle. Two horse-drawn carriages travel around the grounds, which also add to the western feel.

“It’s total fun for the whole family,” Spriet said.

The center also has a corn maze, a ropes course and a western village that includes a kettle corn shop.

The center, formerly a fully functioning farm, is still filled with animals. There are cows, chickens, horses, goats and ponies. In the spring time newborn animals are on exhibit for visitors to see.

“Thousands of people come to see the baby animals,” Spriet said.

For Halloween, animals of another kind provide the public with entertainment. Throughout the season, the Haunted Hollow opens at 7 p.m. to allow younger children a less disturbing version of the fright fest. Then, after warming up, the creepers and crawlers give the full-fledged, frightening experience, starting at 7:30.

The hollow is filled with cages, dungeons, cauldrons, pits of bones and a fog-filled graveyard. The secluded environment among the trees only heightens the spooky atmosphere. Guests should be prepared for run-ins with historical figures such as Lizzy Borden and Jack the Ripper.

“The Haunted Hollow is awesome,” said USU freshman Kim Baker, who is majoring in animal science. “The characters are really cool and interactive. They have Sweeney Todd and you actually get to sit in the barber chair.”

The AWHC has a gift shop with slingshots and other knickknacks for sale, and there is a pumpkin-carving stand that patrons can use to create jack o’ lanterns.

The heritage center also hosts a harvest festival that incorporates traditional activities such as cider pressing and corn shucking. Antique tractor enthusiasts are invited to come and see tractors run on a steam boiler. A live-music harvest dance is the final event of the festival.

“There (are) always really fun activities (at the heritage center),” Baker said.

Halloween and fall harvest celebrations are not the only thing the AWHC specializes in. The center is also available for family reunions, summer camps, LDS youth conferences, handcart treks and even seminars and educational programs that teach about the history of Cache Valley the way settlers would have experienced it, according to the AWHC website.

“I came out here in the summer for the tea party, and that was a lot of fun,” said Logan resident Katie McKay.

Tickets foe the Haunted Hollow and harvest activities start at $4 for kids and $6 for adults.

The center is located in Wellsville on Highway 89-91.

 

– wes.king33@aggiemail.usu.edu