Southern Plains Co-op's annual Trail of Terror brought chills, thrills, and an impressive turnout this Halloween season. The popular community event saw a steady lineup of eager guests
“We think it went fantastically," shared Booke Spagrud marketing and community relations manager shared. “I think we met and possibly even exceeded our expectations for how many people were going to join us that night.”
This year’s Trail of Terror offered a range of Halloween-themed activities and attractions for all ages, including kids' games, free hot dogs, hot chocolate, popcorn, and photo opportunities with the Co-op mascot, Cooper. The highlight for many was the spooky trail walk, which started with a less intense experience earlier in the evening and grew scarier as night fell, catering to different comfort levels.
“We changed things up a bit with our displays,” said Spagrud. “Some of the displays required spacing between groups to make the experience better, so even though the lineup was long, the feedback I received was that it moved fairly quickly, and people didn’t mind the wait.”
In addition to growing attendance, the Trail of Terror has continued to expand each year since its launch, around 2016. Spagrud noted that the event’s success has allowed Southern Plains Co-op to invest more in new decorations and displays to enhance the experience.
“Every year, we seem to continue to grow,” Spagrud said. “We invest a little bit more in decorations and expanding the event itself. And when the weather’s right, we definitely see the increase in people coming out to enjoy the evening outdoors.”
Unlike last year’s snowy October, this year’s mild weather allowed for a smooth setup and a more enjoyable outdoor experience. “Last year, we had to remove snow three times just to pull off the event,” she explained. “This year, no snow, so it was wonderful. The weather was great—couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Looking forward, Spagrud confirmed that the Trail of Terror is set to return next year. “I don’t think we’re going to give up on this event. It’s something we look forward to every year, and I think the community does too,” she said.
The Trail of Terror remains a free event for the community, fully funded by Southern Plains Co-op. “This is something that is 100% supported and paid for by Southern Plains Co-op,” Spagrud explained. “It’s just one of the ways we give back.”
Spagrud encouraged anyone who hasn’t experienced the Trail of Terror to come out next year and see what it’s all about. Photos from this year’s event are available on the Co-op’s Facebook page, capturing the fun and frights that made it a night to remember.
