Kiddie Park Spook-A-Rama brings thrills and chills

The ninth annual Spook-A-Rama will be held during this week’s fall break — from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Kiddie Park in Johnstone Park in Bartlesville.

As always, it promises three spooky nights for everyone young and old, according to Ron Adams, Kiddie Park Board president.

The House of the Bogey Man Haunted House and all the usual attractions will be open and ready to thrill. In addition, there will be games, the Kiddie Park magician, concessions and “lots and lots of candy,” as well as a Little Scarecrows Maze — a Halloween maze for toddlers.

“Just add your child in their Halloween best for instant fun for all the family.”

Spook-A-Rama, an idea from Kiddie Park magician David Lea, began in 2007 after a summer flood shut the park down for an entire month. Lea went to Adams and the board of directors with an idea — Spook-A-Rama was born.

Two years later, Lea went back to the board about starting a scholarship fund. Proceeds from the haunted house, the childrens’ maze and the magic show would go into The Kiddie Park Hopes and Dreams Education Fund, which started that year.

The fund gives two scholarships a year to former employees to help further their education. It also assists local elementary schools. For example, Jane Phillips Elementary School used their donation to buy nearly 1,500 books for their read-at-home program this year.

The House of the Bogeyman Haunted House continues its place of prominence as a main attraction of Spook-A-Rama, again taking over the space usually occupied by the bumper cars. Use caution with the young ones, as this attraction is designed to scare.

What’s inside? A funeral room, Jason room, boiler room, funhouse room, pirate room, semi-trailer room, werewolf room and the Hall of Horrors await youngsters.

The Spook-A-Rama costume parade will provide an opportunity for family members to take photos with a Halloween Haunted House and pumpkin setting. Local photographer Wil Gibson, who has volunteered his time to take photos of the children, will have them posted on his website for viewing. Small prizes will be awarded to all the participants.

Tickets are $.50 each. The haunted house, maze and spooky train ride require two tickets; other rides are one ticket each.

For additional information, visit www.kiddiepark.net.