Brite Nites Event To Offer Haunting Halloween Fun

Brite Nites at the Wagner Farm Arboretum will have kids and their parents giggling with ghoulish glee just in time for Halloween.

The Arboretum's paths will be lit with nearly 1,000 pumpkins, there will be a Haunted Showcase and the store will become the Black Hat Cafe featuring balloon art.

The township's elementary schools will get a special preview on October 19 and 20 and the public can attend this frighteningly fun Halloween attraction October 21 to 23 and October 28 to 30 at the farm. This is the second year for Brite Nites, which drew between 500 to 800 visitors a night, peaking at 1,000 people, with some  even visiting from other counties and even some from out of state.

The event raised $30,000 for the nonprofit organization and, after expenses, there was $20,000 to put back into the , including the purchase of a new gazebo for the Children's Garden.

"We were just amazed beyond our wildest dreams that it was as much of a success as it was," said the Arboretum's Vice President and Fundraising Chair Carol Senff.

This year's event seems like it will be just as "spooktacular" featuring a redesigned pumpkin path and large pumpkin sculptures such as one that depicts the London Bridge.

"These will be larger pieces that represent different parts of the world," said Senff.

Another new treat this year is that visitors now have a chance to help decorate the Arboretum with scarecrows and pumpkins. People can create their own scarecrows and drop them off until October 16 and they will be added to the displays. There also is a Pumpkin Carving Contest in three age categories: up to age 12, 13 to 17 and 18 and older.

Children can carve their own fresh pumpkins that can be delivered to the Arboretum on October 16 from 3 pm to 5 pm; October 17 from 4 pm to 6 pm and October 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Contest pumpkins will be displayed on the paths of Brite Nites during its first week, October 19 to 23. Contestants 18 and older can carve their own fresh or artificial pumpkins and they can be dropped off on October 23 from 10 am to 12 pm, October 24 from 4 pm to 6 pm, and October 25 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Adult  pumpkins will be displayed on the paths on October 28 to 30. The Pumpkin Carving Contest is free and prizes will be awarded. Brite Nites visitors will get the chance to vote for their favorite ones for the People's Choice Awards.

"We want this to be truly for the community," said Senff.

This year's Haunted Showcase will also offer some eerie entertainment with scenes from horror films created by actor and set designer, William J. Ward. Each set becomes gradually spookier so parents can determine what is age appropriate, said Senff. Like last year, local high school students will be volunteer actors.

The volunteers are what really makes this event possible, said Senff. Some of the major contributors include: Ila Gillenwater who runs the Black Hat Cafe; Julie Gnoy, involved in graphic design and creative carving; Meritta Lim, volunteer coordinator; Meera Rao, a trustee responsible for attracting sponsors and donations; Suzanne Smith, the Arboretum's president; Barbara Sullivan, a trustee and instrumental in the Pumpkin Path design, and Lisa Young, creative pumpkin carver.

"We have many wonderful volunteers," she said.

They're looking for help again this year. Each night requires about 40 volunteers to help with the cafe, parking and ticket sales and there might be set-up assistance needed. Scout troops and community groups are always welcome. Interested volunteers can send an email to volunteer@wfafnj.org.

Tickets are available online, and at the gate while supplies last, and cost $7 for seniors and kids 4 to 14 and $10 for adults. Children 3 years and younger are free. Because the paths are not paved, strollers are not permitted.