Ghouls, ghosts and goblin will be taking over the woods near Londonderry High School again. The LHS Drama Club is having their annual “Haunted Woods” next week in the Panther Park ropes course between the Middle and High Schools.
Proceeds from the event will go towards funding the drama club for the year.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser to support our program and our school musical that we perform in April,” said Valarie Nelson, the staff advisor for the event.
Thrill seekers and Halloween enthusiasts can brave the woods for five dollars each, while younger children can enjoy the “Goblin Garden” for three dollars a visit. The garden will feature more tame events, like face painting, crafting and games with family friendly costumed characters. Those who brave the spook-tacular woods will have a chance to see the drama club members perform original skits they wrote themselves.
It takes a lot of people to put this 15-year old event on. Nelson is assisted by fellow advisors, Serge Beaulieu and Zack Paone, as well as other parent volunteers. They work with about 60 students to coordinate the 3-day event.
The one person they can’t coordinate with is the Mother Nature. Nelson expects a good turn out if it stays dry. “Provided we have good weather, we bring in a ton of people for this event,” she said in an email.
The kids are the stars of the show. The students handle everything from what happens in the woods to doing the face painting in the garden. It’s a terrific way for them to show off their creative sides and make some money for the drama club. It also gives locals the chance to come together for some scary fun.
“The thing I love most about this event is that it’s an inexpensive night out for the community,” explained Nelson.
The Haunted Woods will run Oct. 17, 18 and 19 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The money raised will go towards the LHS Drama Club’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid in April.