Prepare for a hayride scare

SANDS TOWNSHIP — Upper Peninsula residents looking for a frightful night will have an opportunity starting Thursday.

That’s when the seventh annual Marquette Haunted Hayride kicks off. The tractor-drawn ride takes place at the Marquette County Fairgrounds – or “Scaregrounds,” as event organizers call the venue – and features some spooky surprises. Proceeds from the ride help benefit community and youth groups who put together the scary scenes.

“We wanted to make it easy for them to raise funds for themselves, plus giving back to the community, so instead of them writing a grant or filling out an application or something like that, this is a way for them to come out and have a little bit of fun,” said Haunted Hayride Coordinator Andi Goriesky. “These groups have been out here working very, very hard for weeks on end now. You will see zombies, I’m sure. There will be lots of scary little bumps and thumps throughout the trail.”

The Haunted Hayride runs Thursday through Saturday nights. Tickets are available online or at the gate. Click here for more information about the event.