Pauline Schreiber
Posted: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 12:23 am

pschreiber@faribault.com

FARIBAULT — Boxes of candy, nature character costumes and other “enchanted” props filled the table in the library of River Bend Nature Center Tuesday waiting for use this Saturday.

The nature center’s annual Halloween event, the Enchanted Forest, is from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, starting and ending an hour earlier than in previous years.

“It seems to be that hardly anyone came last year in the last hour when it was 4 to 8 p.m., so we’re trying 3 to 7 p.m. this year,” said Heather Rickerl, a program coordinator for the center.

But she warned that the gates to the event do close at 6:30 p.m.

“To really enjoy the Enchanted Forest activities, even a half hour isn’t really long enough,” Rickerl said. “But that is why the gates close at 6:30 p.m. because the event does end at 7 p.m. and we want people to enjoy themselves and not be rushed.”

Leah Penn Boris, the River Bend intern working with Rickerl in planning special events, showed a fish costume among the boxes she’d really like to wear. But it won’t be on Saturday night. She is helping staff orchestrate the event.

“I wouldn’t be able to run in the costume,” Penn Boris said.

Instead, volunteers from Faribault High School’s Drama Club, Students Together Offering Peer Support, and Bethlehem Academy’s Key Club are putting on the costumes for skits along the Enchanted Trails in the forest of River Bend.

“We’ve given them enthusiasm, besides some ideas and guidelines, but left it up to them to come up with their own ideas for skits,” Penn Boris said.

This year’s theme for the Enchanted Forest is “When I’m Scared I...” Treats will be passed out to children as they walk between skits along the Enchanted Trails.

“There’s going to be lots of games, crafts, face painting and a campfire, besides the Enchanted Trails to visit,” Penn Boris said.


Mark Hedenstrom, a folk singer, will perform around a campfire in the Big Woods Amphitheater and Nick Blackmer, a fire juggler, will perform near the Enchanted Trails. The University of Minnesota Raptor Center will also have some birds on display.

“The only thing not free after paying the entrance fee is food and beverages,” Rickerl said.

First English Youth Group is using the event as a fundraiser and selling refreshments.

— Staff writer Pauline Schreiber may be reached at 333-3127.


Want to go?

What: Enchanted Forest Halloween event, including horse-drawn hay rides, crafts, games, a fire juggler, a folk singer and an “Enchanted Trail” with treats

Where: River Bend Nature Center

When: 3-7 p.m. Saturday; gates open at 3 p.m. and close at 6:30 p.m.

How: $3 for nature center members; $5 for nonmembers